When extreme temperatures or other severe weather conditions arrive, the city of Denton is ready to implement the Inclement Weather Plan for Homeless Shelter and Expanded Services, according to cityofdenton.com.

There are “public facilities, service provider locations, and emergency shelters available for those living without a warm/cool, dry, and safe place to escape the weather extremes.”

The city of Denton defines extreme temperature as any day when the temperature falls below 32 degrees or exceeds 100 degrees, or any emergency for weather conditions such as ice, severe flooding, etc.

Emergency shelters such as the Monsignor King Outreach Center are ready to help on those days, but Monsignor King and others also have a regular schedule during the week to support those without a safe place to stay. The Monsignor King shelter opens from 6:30 p.m.-8 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, offering a nourishing meal Mondays – Wednesdays and a bed with linens for a comfortable night’s sleep.

One night when temperatures were expected to drop, 43-year-old Tanya Johnson sat in front of the doors of Monsignor King, waiting for it to open. Johnson lived at the Salvation Army center in Dallas, but she decided to "change the scenery"  by coming to the Monsignor King shelter during inclement weather days.

"The Salvation Army [has a] tight security there but I just feel safe right here, tonight, because it is a weather night down there," Johnson said.

Logan Eggleston, 19, is also in front of the same door. He is a regular at Monsignor King. "I personally like this place better [than the Salvation Army] because it is more simple. Every morning you do the chores and then you can go," he said.  

Besides shelters like Monsignor King and the Salvation Army, people can go to the following  places that provide temporary emergency shelters and services:

Parks & Recreation Centers:

American Legion Building: (940) 349‐8298

629 Lakey St. Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. ‐ 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 6:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Denton Civic Center: (940) 349‐7275

321 E. McKinney St. Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. ‐ 7:00 p.m.

Denton Senior Center: (940) 349‐8720

509 N. Bell Ave. Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 1:00 p.m.

Denia Rec Center: (940) 349‐8285

1001 Parvin St. Monday – Wednesday 7:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Thursday – Friday 7:00 a.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. ‐ 3:30 p.m.

MLK Jr. Rec Center: (940) 349‐8575

1300 Wilson St. Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 6:30 p.m.

North Lakes Rec Center: (940) 349‐8287

2001 W. Windsor Dr. Monday – Thursday 5:30 a.m. ‐ 10:00 p.m.

Friday 5:30 a.m. ‐ 9:30 p.m.

Saturday 7:30 a.m. ‐ 3:10 p.m.

Public Libraries:

Emily Fowler Central Library: (940) 349‐8796

502 Oakland St. Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9:00 a.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m.

North Branch Library: (940) 349‐8761

3020 N. Locust St. Monday – Wednesday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Thursday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m.

South Branch Library: (940) 349‐8761

3228 Teasley Ln. Monday 12:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 p.m.

Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 9:00 a.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m.

Fire Stations: Public access to restrooms, water fountains, and sitting area.

Station 1: Central Fire Station

332 E. Hickory St. Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m.

Fire stations that have 24‐hour public access:

Station 2: 110 Mockingbird Ln

Station 4: 2110 E. Sherman Dr.

Station 5: 2230 W. Windsor Dr.

Station 6: 3232 Teasley Ln.

Station 7: 4201 Vintage Pkwy.

Police Station: 24‐hour public access to restrooms, water fountains, and sitting area

Station: 601 E. Hickory St.

Community Service Providers: Warming center, cooling center and water station

Our Daily Bread: (940) 382‐5604

300 W. Oak St. Ste. 100 Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. ‐ 1:30 p.m.

Monday Evening 5:30 p.m. ‐ 6:30 p.m.

Salvation Army Denton: (940) 566‐3800

1508 E. McKinney St. Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Shelter Overnight 5:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 a.m.

Shelter Overnight:

Monsignor King Outreach Center (MKOC): (940) 391‐1919

300 S. Woodrow Ln Every Mon, Tue, & Wen 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.

Inclement Weather Day 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.

Call (940) 391‐1919 to confirm inclement weather opening   

Salvation Army Denton: (940) 566‐3800

1508 E. McKinney St. Sunday‐Saturday (Daily) 5:00 p.m. ‐ 7:00 a.m.

Inclement Weather 5:00 p.m. ‐ 9:00 a.m.

Call (940) 566‐3800 to confirm inclement weather opening  

Meals Served:

Our Daily Bread: (940) 382‐5604

300 W. Oak St. Ste. 100 Mon-Sat (Breakfast) 10:00 a.m. ‐ 10:30 a.m.

Mon – Fri (Lunch) 11:00 a.m. ‐ 1:30 p.m.

Sat (Lunch) 11:00 a.m. ‐ 12:45 p.m.

Monday (Dinner) 5:30 p.m. ‐  6:30 p.m.

Salvation Army Denton Community Dinner: (940) 566‐3800

1508 E. McKinney St. Monday‐Sunday (Daily) 6:30 p.m. ‐ 7:00 p.m.

For a current weather services list visit: https://tinyurl.com/DentonHelps

Header image via Unsplash.

Header design by Kylie Phillips.