City officials said they are working with local agencies to help the large number of Chattanooga homeless to deal with bitter cold that is due this weekend.
Kirsten Yates of the mayor's office said, "We have been in close contact with the Chatt Foundation (Community Kitchen) to ensure their cold weather shelter has enough capacity for the city's current homeless population.
"While we don't anticipate an overflow, if there is one, the Salvation Army is ready to open up their shelter, as well.
"The Salvation Army is also holding a brunch and giving out 500 hot meals on Friday morning."
Homeless advocates said they were concerned that some of those living in tents or rude shelters may not be aware of the impending frigid weather.
The Union Gospel Mission will be serving Christmas dinners to the homeless on Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.Volunteers are needed to serve the dinners and distribute cold weather clothing.
“With the colder temperatures coming into the Tennessee Valley, the Union Gospel Mission has had an increased need for blankets, gloves, hats, and hand warmers,” said Executive Director Rev. Jon Rector. “Neighbors can drop these items off any time during our Christmas meal feeding to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, located at 200 East Martin Luther King Blvd.”
He added, "The Union Gospel Mission needs your help with donations of monetary support and supplies. In addition to the coats and blankets, gallon sized baggies filled with toiletries, gloves, hand warmers, socks and snacks are needed to distribute to the unhoused community. Monetary support can be given by visiting www.theuniongospelmission.org or by mail to PO Box 983, Chattanooga, TN, 37401. In kind resources can be brought to The Union Gospel Mission located at 124 Signal Hills Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN, 37405, gift cards to Walmart and Food City are also accepted."
Here is the latest Chattanooga forecast:
Thursday Afternoon
Cloudy, with a high near 50. South wind around 5 mph.
Tonight
Rain and snow before 2am, then a slight chance of snow between 2am and 3am, then a chance of flurries after 3am. Low around 5. Wind chill values between -8 and 2. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday
Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 13. Wind chill values between -3 and -12. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values between -5 and zero. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 24. West wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Christmas Day
Sunny, with a high near 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 17.