Lee County activates cold-weather plan as temperatures drop below 40

Lee County is activating its cold-weather outreach plan in response to the expected drop in temperatures this week. The plan, coordinated by Lee County Government and its partners, aims to provide relief to those in need as temperatures dip below 40 degrees.

The Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services, along with Lee County Transit (LeeTran) and other partners, is set to implement a series of initiatives to help the community.

The Salvation Army will offer a limited number of single beds on a first-come, first-served basis at 2400 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers, starting Tuesday, Dec. 30, through the morning of Thursday, Jan. 1. Intake for those seeking shelter begins on Dec. 30 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information, individuals can contact The Salvation Army at 239-789-1169.

On Dec. 30, Housing, Outreach and Treatment (HOT) teams will be out in the community providing resources and distributing cold-weather supplies such as jackets, socks, blankets, and hand warmers to those experiencing homelessness.

On Dec. 31, LeeTran will offer Warming Buses at various locations, including the Rosa Parks Transfer Station, Lehigh Acres Park & Ride, and Cape Coral Transfer Station.

Warming Stations will also be operational on Dec. 31 at several United Way Resiliency Hubs across Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, and Alva. Mobile Warming Stations will distribute supplies at locations like Lions Park, Rosa Parks Transfer Station, Edison Mall Transfer Station, and South Fort Myers Transfer Station.

The Lee County Human & Veteran Services’ Reach app, available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play, provides another resource for individuals in need. Users are encouraged to sign up for push alerts to receive timely updates.

Lee County’s coordinated entry phone line is available at 239-533-7996 for those seeking services and resources.

For more updates, residents can sign up for the Lee County Government newsletter or follow them on social media.