North Olympic Peninsula organizations offer shelter and meals for those without shelter or food this weekend.
Port Angeles
• Serenity House Shelter, 2321 W. 18th St., Port Angeles; 360-452-7221
On Friday morning, about 100 of the shelter’s 120 beds were occupied. If it reaches capacity, a van is available to shuttle people to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s warming center in Sequim.
Serenity House visitors must be at least 18 years old and not registered sex offenders.
Previous visitors who have received a blue flag ban for violating shelter rules are allowed stay while the weather is freezing, but those with a red flag ban who have been permanently banned will not be allowed in the facility.
Serenity House will be available 24/7 while the weather stays below freezing. Three meals a day are served: Breakfast 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.; dinner: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Donations of full-size blankets for shelter beds and hand warmers are needed.
• Salvation Army, 202 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles; 360-452-7679
The Salvation Army provides breakfast from 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. and lunch from noon to 12:55 p.m., as well as clothing assistance.
• The Answer for Youth (TAFY), 826 E. First St., Port Angeles; 360.670.4363
A small food bank and free clothing closet is available to youth and young families up to age 35. Blankets, tents and other supplies also are available. It is open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays.
• Port Angeles City spokesperson Jessica Straits said the city had not opened a warming center at Vern Burton Community Center at 308 E Fourth St., on Friday because Serenity House still had beds available. However, should Serenity House reach capacity, temperatures drop to 20 degrees for an extended time or community organizations face challenges meeting demand, the city would open Vern Burton.
• Individuals not eligible to enter Serenity House or who are unable to find shelter are encouraged to contact Peninsula Behavioral Health’s R.E.A.L. Team at 360-912-7833 for assistance.
Forks
• Serenity House Forks Resource Center, 287 Founders Way, Forks; 360-670-4934
This is not an overnight shelter but people are welcome to come in to get out of the cold weekdays only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Clallam Transit Center, 551 S. Forks Ave.
The transit center will serve as a warming center throughout the weekend.
Sequim
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. 5th Ave., Sequim; 360-683-4862
A warming center is be open through the weekend from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Jefferson County
• Jefferson Interfaith Action Coalition Winter Welcoming Center, Pope Marine Building, 100 Madison St., Port Townsend; 360-821-4811
Cots and food are available at the center which will be open 24 hours a day through Sunday and perhaps Tuesday, depending on temperatures. The center is accepting donations from the community.
• Community centers in Brinnon and Quilcene were open for daytime warming on Friday and are monitoring conditions to see if they will be open at any time this weekend, according to Keppie Keplinger, deputy director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Department.
Richard Fitzgerald at the Quilcene Community Center at 294952 U.S. Highway 101 said Saturday that, although the shelter can’t have its doors open 24/7, he would open it if a person or family called to say they were struggling to stay warm.. They can bring dog or cat pets also. His number is 360-460-1573.
