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Pasco To Open Cold Shelters Tonight

Hudson, New Port Richey Sites To Offer Meals

By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2008

Updated: 01/14/2008 06:25 pm

HUDSON - HUDSON - By GEOFF FOX
The Tampa Tribune
HUDSON For many people, a forecast of overnight temperatures in the 30s results in irritated grumbling about having to turn on the heat.
Not everyone has such a quick fix.
As the National Weather Service predicted Monday and Tuesday night temperatures of 35 or 36 degrees, with wind chill making it seem even colder, officials with the Holy Ground Homeless Shelter on Denton Avenue in Hudson and First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey on Indiana Avenue announced they would offer shelter and hot meals.
The Holy Ground shelter can be reached at (727) 863-9123; the Methodist Church of New Port Richey can be reached at (813) 956-9973.
Unfortunately, not all of the area's homeless get that information, said the Rev. Dan Campbell of Community United Methodist Church on U.S. 19 in Holiday. Fresh Start for Pasco and the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County are working to remedy that, he said.
"People know about Holy Ground because it's been there a good, long time," Campbell said. "But that's been almost the only one. There are some small churches around that a few know about, but, in general, they haven't been offered [shelter] across the county."
Campbell said the coalition plans to meet next week to discuss opening shelters in Dade City, Land O' Lakes and Zephyrhills. When new shelters open, Campbell said homeless advocates will spread the information however they can.
In the past "we've gone around to convenience stores and left word there," he said. "Clerks have referred people to us before. It's actually a pretty good way to get the word out."