Overnight warming centers area for those living outside during the coldest days of the year.

Various shifts during the early evening, overnight, and mid-morning on especially cold nights between January 1 and 15, 2024 

There are four sites across Knoxville and Knox County.

The request is for for the public to volunteer and donate to make this effort a success 

Local churches, homeless service providers, and the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability (OHS) are partnering to open overnight warming centers for those living outside during the coldest days of the year. The OHS has coordinated with four churches across Knoxville and Knox County to provide a warm place for homeless neighbors to sleep if temperatures fall to dangerously cold levels. Additional church communities interested in joining the effort may contact OHS here. Schedules and temperature thresholds vary by site, and volunteers are needed to deliver meals, set up cots, check people in, or stay overnight. Volunteers will be needed between January 1 and 15, 2024.  

If you would like to donate supplies to this effort, the following items are needed, either used or new: sleeping bags, bedding (especially comforters) and scrubs of all sizes. The following items are needed, purchased new only please: toiletries, socks and underwear. To donate please contact Knox Area Rescue Ministries at (865) 673-6540 or by email here

For anyone who’s in need of a warming center, please contact KPD’s non-emergency line to find the nearest location: (865) 215-4010.  

If you would like to volunteer for this community-wide effort, please contact 211 or the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability here