MCCAC activates warming center ahead of life-threatening winter weather

The Dalles, Oregon – With freezing rain, snow, and wind chill temperatures projected to be as low as -15 to -25 degrees in the coming days, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is opening a temporary warming center using St. Vincent de Paul’s building at 315 W. 3rd St. in The Dalles beginning 7pm Wednesday, December 21st, 2022.

The temporary warming center is scheduled to operate for from 7pm Wednesday, December 21st— 7am Friday, December 23rd. MCCAC will post an update by 7pm on Thursday, Dec. 22nd on the organization’s Facebook page and website (www.mccac.com/shelter) indicating whether the warming center will remain open beyond these dates. An extended opening will depend on staff and volunteer capacity, along with temperatures and winter precipitation based on the updated weekend forecast as of Thursday evening.

Houseless people and other vulnerable community members who cannot otherwise get out of the cold can come to the warming center for initial intake between 7pm-9pm on Wednesday, Dec. 21st or Thursday, Dec. 22nd, or between 8am-5pm Thursday, Dec. 22nd. If MCCAC determines the warming center will stay open for one or more days and nights between Friday, Dec. 23rd and Sunday, Dec. 25th, intakes will take place at the same times those days.

For other information about warming resources, such as where people in need can pick up bundles of warming supplies, or access temporary warming centers on the Washington side of the Columbia River, visit MCCAC’s website: www.mccac.com/shelter.

Supplies like blankets, hand warmers, tarps, etc. are available for free for any houseless or other community members who need them in the coming days. In The Dalles, people can pick up supplies between 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm tomorrow or Friday at MCCAC’s office at 312 E. 4th St.  In Hood River, they can pick up supplies any time by visiting our Hood River Shelter at 1733 Oak St. in Hood River.