Community Kitchen opens winter shelter early

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Due to the temperatures in Chattanooga, the cold weather shelter at the Community Kitchen opened up earlier than expected.

It opened up on Wednesday, which was ten days before it was initially scheduled to.

Organizers say they put together an entire plan to make this possible.

It includes logistics, staffing and coverage so they can become a 24/7 operation during the winter months.

140 people can comfortably fit in the building.

Jens Christensen with the Community Kitchen says “It is mats on the floor with a blanket. It is not glamorous. It is something to help people to stay alive so they won’t freeze to death in that frigid cold. The very first night that we were open we had 72 people who slept inside here and in these walls, staying warm, staying alive, maybe not always staying comfortable, but always staying safe.”

The cold weather shelter opens daily at 6:30.