500+ Statewide Warming Centers, Food Banks, Animal Shelters, Rides, Legal/Mutual Aid Funds & Medic/Volunteer Crews

13 min readFeb 18, 2021

Note: The author of this article used credible and authoritative sources of investigative journalism to verify each statement, as indicated by hyperlinks. Additionally, freedom of press extends to freelance journalists as much as staff journalists. And, for all U.S. citizens, critiquing elected or appointed officials––as well as government policies and practices––is a constitutionally-protected form of civic engagement.

This directory serves to assist Texan families experiencing transient or stable power outages, yet is not an authoritative or definitive guide, and was derived from still-developing resources. Primarily, these services pertain to Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, and to a lesser extent, some areas in the Panhandle, the Rio Grand Valley, and North and West Texas (see SHELTERS/WARMING CENTERS). LGBTQ-affirming and Spanish-translated resources are included.

Tips: Prior to commuting, verify a site’s days/hours of operation, capacity/services, eligibility requirements (e.g. COVID-19 and pet stipulations), disability/senior accommodations, and parking. Utilize drop-off services if possible, and avoid driving distant/unfamiliar/unlit routes. Layer clothing in anticipation of temperature drops and backlogged queues. For wait-time estimates, contact sites directly, or call non-emergency lines listed under HOTLINES. Forgo purses — consolidate your group/family’s belongings (e.g. canteens/thermoses, chargers, eyeglass cases, hygiene products, keys/IDs, masks, medicines, toilet paper) into one backpack or duffel. Dress young children in easily identifiable attire, ink a phone number on their person, discuss safety, and establish meeting-places in case of separation.

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LEGAL/MUTUAL AID FUNDS & VOLUNTEER CREWS

— Statewide —

CrowdSource Rescue — Founded in 2017, CrowdSource Rescue is a Texas disaster response non-profit that is providing generators, space heaters, and warm meals to those in need during the storm.

Documento de Recursos y Ayuda Mutua General de Texas

General Statewide Crowdsourced List

Texas Bail Project — Commissary donations provide funds for incarcerated people who need to purchase additional food from jail stores and for collect calls to family members.

Texas Veteran Support

— Austin —

Austin Area Urban League — #LoveThyNeighborTX campaign to raise money for hotel rooms, food, water, clothing, and more for housing insecure communities

Austin Disaster Relief

Austin Mutual Aid (Venmos: @austinmutual aid, @austinmutualaidhotels) — #KicktheCold Campaign ($463k so far)

Austin Pets Alive!

City of Austin Cold Weather Shelter Volunteering Registration

Free Lunch Austin

Front Steps Annual Blanket Drive

Solid Ground Ministry

Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center Wishlist

The Other Ones Foundation

— Dallas/Ft. Worth —

Master List of DFW Mutual Aid Funds

Dallas Stops Evictions

DFW Mutual Aid

Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid (Instagram, Twitter)

Upcoming Community Care Days, Feb. 13–27

Fort Worth Fire Department — Bottled water donations at all 43 locations

Funky Town Fridge

Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support

OurCalling

Not My Son DFW

Tarrant County Homeless Coalition — seeking donations of emergency cold weather needs: pillows, blankets, over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, pillowcases, underwear (all sizes), coats, scarves, gloves, hats, heavy and warm socks, twin sheets for emergency mattresses, generators, heaters, sleeping bags, bottled water

— Houston —

Mutual Aid Houston ($130,000 raised so far)

Galveston County Office of Energy Management — seeking “portable lights (lanterns/flashlights) and batteries to go in them, power banks for staff to charge cell phones and hand warmers”

— North Texas —

Denton Bail Fund

Denton Autonomous Tenants’ Union

North Texas Rural Resilience

— San Antonio —

Corazon Ministries

Life Restored Church: 210–810–7122

Haven for Hope

Para Mi Gente Mutual Aid — distributing funds to cover health care needs, hotels/motels, groceries, and other needs (Venmo @pmgmutualaid; Cash App $pmgmutualaid)

@trinitymutualaid

Salvation Army San Antonio Command

SAMMinistries

South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless

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WARMING CENTERS/SHELTERS

— Statewide —

Documento de Recursos y Ayuda Mutua General de Texas

City-specific Lists

Crowdsourced List of Animal Shelters

Pet-Friendly Warming Centers (Page 2 of 8)

Do Something Warming Center Spreadsheet (Updated with 365 centers)

Hotels (List of availability and power)

Texas Division of Emergency Management — Warming Shelter Guide

— Austin —

Central Texas Warming Centers

Palmer Event Center — Individuals

Downtown Salvation Army Shelter — Families

Mendez Middle School

Northeast Early College High School

Del Valle High School

— Dallas/Ft. Worth —

Dallas Warming Stations:

Dallas YMCAs will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 and Friday, Feb. 19 (Entry requirements: Masks and social distancing; services: Hot coffee, charging stations, WIFI, and water stations will be provided. Locker rooms will also be open at these branches for anyone who needs a hot shower):

Moorland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff
Moody Family YMCA
Plano Family YMCA
Frisco Family YMCA
Coppell Family YMCA
Lake Highlands Family YMCA
Park South YMCA
Waxahachie Family YMCA
White Rock Family YMCA
J.E.R. Chilton Family YMCA at Rockwall
Richardson Family YMCA
Cross Timbers Family YMCA
Semones Family YMCA

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center — Warming center on Canton Street (pass the guard shack and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters)

The warming center is located in Exhibit Hall A. Residents will be provided a chair and table. They should bring in meals for themselves and their family if they are able to. Water, coffee and light snacks will be made available. The warming center is not an overnight shelter and cots will not be provided. A COVID-19 screening will be required at sign-in. No ID is required. The warming center is set-up for proper social distancing, mask usage is required.

Not My Son DFW Hotel Room Placement & Supply Request, or 469–426–8290

Northwest Dallas: Buckner International has opened a temporary warming center that will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17. It has capacity for 120 people. For reservations and to get location details, contact Ruth Bayona at 214–263–5386 or Aimee Encarnacion at 469–691–0062. First call, first serve basis. Appointment required. No ID required.

West Dallas: The Ledbetter Neighborhood Association and Builders of Hope, along with city and state leaders, have joined together to provide two mobile warming stations in West Dallas. Two charter buses will be parked at the Jaycee Zaragoza Recreation Center located at 3114 Clymer Street, and at the Nash Davis Recreation Center located at 3719 N. Hampton Road. The buses will be parked there for the next 24 hours starting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 16 through Feb. 17. Snacks will be provided.

Ft. Worth Warming Stations:

Worth Heights Community Center
Handley Meadowbrook Community Center
Diamond Hill Community Center
North Tri-Ethnic Community Center
Summerglen Library
Southwest Community Center

Ft. Worth Convention Center — Available until Thursday at noon

Ft. Worth Text Alerts Signup Form

— North Texas —

Warming Centers in North Texas

The Addison Athletic Club (3900 Beltway Drive) — (Entry requirements: Bring food and bedding, only pets in crates allowed)

Bedford: Central Junior High — (Entry requirements: Masks, encouraged to bring sleeping bags, mats, blankets, and pillows. Cots will be available if people need them; no showers or pets)

Carrollton: Newman Smith High School (2335 N. Josey Lane) — (Open until Friday, February 19th, Visitors will have to follow COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masks and social distancing. Pets will not be allowed at the center, however, Carrollton Animal Services and Adoption Center will offer temporary pet housing if needed)

Cleburne: The Conference Center (1501 W Henderson Street)

Coppell: The CORE (234 Parkway Boulevard) — (Entry requirements: Masks, social distancing; bring own snacks, bedding and device charging cables. Pets are allowed but must be in a carrier or crate. No cots, food, water, or blankets will be provided)

Decatur: Decatur Conference Center (2010 US-380) — (Visitors should come to the west entrance of the building and call 940–393–0280 if they need assistance.)

Denton

MLK Jr. Rec Center: 1300 Wilson Street. 940–349–8575. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Lakes Rec Center: 2001 W Windsor Street. 940–349–8287. Open Monday to Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday/Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City fire stations will be open from Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.:
Station 2: 110 Mockingbird Lane
Station 4: 2110 E. Sherman Drive
Station 5: 2230 W. Windsor Drive
Station 6: 3232 Teasley Lane
Station 7: 4201 Vintage Parkway

Desoto: Faith Bible Church (1437 W. Pleasant Run Road, Desoto, 75115)

Euless: Euless Family Life Rec Center (300 W. Midway)

Fannin County

Leonard — 1st Baptist Church at 100 East Thomas, Leonard, TX 75452
Bonham — 1st Congregational Methodist Church at 13th and Hwy 121, please use the north door
Honey Grove area — Allen’s Point Baptist Church
Ladonia area — Oakridge Church of Christ

Farmersville: First Baptist Church of Farmersville (124 S. Washington Street) — (People are advised to go to the church office and call the phone number provided. Staff members will assist them; 972–782–8428)

Flower Mound

Flower Mound Town Services ( Please be advised, no showering facilities are available and no pets will be allowed, at this time; 972.874.6561)
Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church has opened up a warming center at the Family Life Center, 6101 Morris’s Rd., daily until 6 p.m. Please bring your own chairs, blankets, food, and water. Masks are required.
Cross Timbers Family YMCA has opened a winter warming center at its facility, 2021 Cross Timbers Rd. The center will remain available to the public through Friday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Masks are required.

Frisco: The Islamic Center of Frisco (11137 Frisco Street)

Garland:

— Houston —

Chambers County: McLeod Park Warming Center –

Fort Bend Community Church (7707 Highway 6) — Open on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Gallery Furniture

George R. Brown Convention Center — At capacity

Grand Parkway Baptist Church (12000 FM 1464, Richmond, TX) — 281–277–2200

Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA

Houseless Organizing Coalition

Lakewood Church

League City Hometown Heroes Recreation Center — Space is limited, animals are not allowed, masks required, blankets will not be provided

Mattress Mack

Missouri City Recreation & Tennis Center (2701 Cypress Point Dr.) — Thursday night at 7 p.m. through Saturday, Feb. 20 at noon

National Association of Christian Churches

Pearland Recreation Center and Natatorium (4141 Bailey Rd.) — Space limited, masks required, no pets, no COVID-positive citizens

River Pointe Church (21000 Southwest Freeway) — Bring blankets, snacks and masks and call ahead at 832–767–9600

The Rooftop Cinema Club — (The Drive-In — 2315 Navigation Blvd.)

Santa Fe Fire Department — cots and meals

West University Place Warming Center (4210 Bellaire Blvd.)

Montgomery County:

MoCo Warming Centers
OverUnder Church — 600 S. Frazier St. Conroe, TX 77301
Church Project — 602 Pruitt Rd. The Woodlands, TX 77380
Madeley Ranch Elementary — 3500 Madeley Ranch Rd. Montgomery, TX 77356

Galveston County:

Bayside Community Center — 4833 10th St., Bacliff, TX
Friendswood High School — 702 Greenbriar Dr., Friendswood, TX
McGuire-Dent Recreation Center — Menard Park — 2222 28th St., Galveston, TX (opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday)
Barber Middle School — 5651 FM 517 Road East, Dickinson, TX (for Dickinson residents)
Santa Fe Fire and Rescue Station 1–13112 Highway 6, Santa Fe, TX (Santa Fe residents only, ID required)
High Island Gym — 2113 6th St., High Island, TX (opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday)
Blocker Middle School — 1800 9th Ave. N, Texas City, TX (open until Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.)
The Salvation Army

— Panhandle—

Amarillo Housing First Code Blue Warming Station (207 N. Tyler): 806–4142–2243

Faith City Mission

Salvation Army of Amarillo

— Rio Grande Valley —

de Sanchez Spa & Salon — free blow-dry & hair wash today through Saturday

for those without water/electricity.

McAllen IMAS (International Museum of Art & Science)

McAllen Public Library

Weslaco Public Library

— San Antonio —

Catholic Worker House

Corazon Ministries at Travis Park

Church Under the Bridge (CUB)

Haven for Hope (Cold weather clothing and beds)

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Judson High School Gymnasium (9142 FM 78, 78109)

Last Chance Ministries

Life Restored Church

Roy Mass Youth

Salvation Army Dave Coy Men’s Shelter

The Restoring Church

— West Texas —

Odessa (Masks required):

St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Parish at 7601 North Grandview
Copper Rose Building at 415 North Gran
Salvation Army at 810 East 11th Street

Midland:

First Baptist Church Activity Center, 2104 W Louisiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701, open 24 hours.
Midland YMCA- 800 N Big Spring St, Midland, TX 79701, open during operating hours 5a-9p.
Presence Church- 901 Midland Dr, Midland, TX 79703, open until 5:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 300 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701, open from 1–5 p.m., use entrance off Illinois.
Salvation Army, 600 E Wall St, Midland, TX 79701, open 24 hours.
True Lite Christian Fellowship, 3001 N A St, Midland, TX 79705, open 24 hours.

Big Spring:

City of Big Spring Emergency Management has teamed up with local hotels/motels to ensure the safety and security of our at-risk population. This may be a homeless person, stranded motorist or a resident who has lost power, water or heat at home and cannot afford short term accommodations. Preference will be given to the elderly and children.
For the next 96 hours, or until the disaster declaration is lifted by the Mayor of Big Spring, the program will be in effect to ensure everyone has a warm and safe place. If you need emergency shelter, please contact Big Spring /Howard County Dispatch at 432–264–2550. The dispatchers, upon taking the call for request of help, will request the following information: 1. They will take the names of each person; 2. The number of people in the party; 3. They will take the ages of each person in the party; 4. They will record a date of birth of each person; 5. They will record the address. If they are homeless that will be noted; 6. The reason for referral to a warming shelter; 7. They will record a telephone number or way to contact them; 8. They will record what shelter the party was referred to.

Andrews:

First Baptist Church has opened up “The Bridge” until 5 p.m. Tuesday for those who need to warm up
After 5 p.m., the Fire Station will be available for anyone without power who needs a place to sleep

Source: https://www.cbs7.com/2021/02/16/warming-shelters-across-west-texas/

West Texas Shelters — Abilene, Ballinger, Brady, Brown County, Brownwood, Coleman, Comanche County, Eastland, Irion County, Kerville, Kimble County, Odessa, San Angelo, Sutton County.

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FOOD BANKS

–Statewide–

Documento de Recursos y Ayuda Mutua General de Texas

Feeding Texas Network

— Austin —

Central Texas Food Bank

— Dallas/Ft. Worth —

Trinity Springs Middle School (Keller ISD), 3350 Keller Hicks Road, Fort Worth, TX 76244

Ft. Worth Water Stations:

Station 9, 2575 Polaris Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76137.
Station 31, 4209 Longstraw Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76137.
Station 37, 4721 Ray White Road, Keller, TX 76248.
Station 38, 13280 Park Vista Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76248.

Fort Worth Fire Department — Accepting bottled water donations at all 43 locations

Meals On Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County

— Houston —

Crowdsourced List of Open Houston Businesses (Updated spreadsheet of 336 as of 2/18 at 3:25PM)

East Texas Food Bank

Santa Fe Fire Department — cots and meals

— North Texas —

Denton-area– Limited bottled water:

@NaturalGrocers, 110 W University Dr.
@DentonCBC, 200 E McKinney St.
@EastsideDenton, 117 E Oak St.
@GoldenBoyCoffee, 1803 N Elm St

North Texas Food Bank

— Rio Grande Valley —

Master List of Free Restaurants in RGV

Rio Grande Valley Food Bank

Brownsville: Golden Corral Buffet and Grill giveaway Thursday, Feb. 18, 6pm-8pm

IDEA Public Schools

IDEA Mission (1600 S Schuerbach Rd. Mission TX 78572) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
IDEA North Mission (2706 N Holland Ave. Mission TX 78572) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
IDEA Quest (14001 N Rooth Rd. Edinburg TX 78541) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
IDEA McAllen (201 N Betsen Rd. McAllen TX 78501) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
IDEA Los Encinos (5400 S Ware Rd. McAllen TX 78503) from 12 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
IDEA Pharr (600 E Las Milpas Rd. Pharr TX 78577) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
IDEA San Juan Academy (200 N Nebraska Ave. San Juan TX 78589) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
IDEA Weslaco (2931 E Sugar Cane Dr. Weslaco TX 78599) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
IDEA Donna (401 S 1st St. Donna TX 78537) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
IDEA Frontier (2800 S Dakota Ave. Brownsville TX 78521) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Rio Grande Valley Are Food Banks — Brownsville, Edinburg, Los Fresnos, McAllen, Mission, Palmview, Peñitas, Pharr, San Juan,

— San Antonio —

Grace Lutheran Church

The San Antonio Food Bank

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