DES MOINES, Iowa — With the bitterly cold, Des Moines city leaders are reminding people there are options to keep warm.
In particular, officials said Central Iowa Shelter and Services (CISS) is operating under a winter amnesty status, and has surge capacity available to accommodate overnight sheltering.
The city has identified the following warming centers are open:
- Southridge Mall (1111 E. Army Post Rd.) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday
- Merle Hay Mall (3800 Merle Hay Rd.) – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday; Noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday
- Central Library (1000 Grand Ave.) – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday
- East Side Library (2559 Hubbell Ave.) – 1 to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday; 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday
- Forest Ave. Library (1326 Forest Ave.) – 1 to 7 p.m., Monday and Thursday; 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
- Franklin Ave. Library (5000 Franklin Ave.) – 1 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- North Side Library (3516 Fifth Ave.) – 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- South Side Library (1111 Porter Ave.) – 1 to 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
In addition, DART is providing free transportation needing to get to CISS or other shelters.
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said there are other options available.
“We’ve made an arrangement with some of the hotels around to take some of these folks…during these extreme cold times, and take them there because you know, their occupancy in many cases is low.”
And so they have agreed to take you know, some of the folks that are experiencing….extreme cold and in need to have a place to shelter at this time,” Cownie said.
