As artic blast moves through region, Pawtucket opens warming shelter

(WJAR) — As Southern New England prepares for a blast of arctic air, the City of Pawtucket is opening a warming shelter to help people get out of the brutal cold.

The shelter at 1139 Main Street will be open 24 hours starting at 7:00 a.m. Friday and is scheduled to run through Monday, February 6.

It holds up to 133 people, has space for 16 cots, and has two bathrooms.

Black Lives Matter Rhode Island is serving as the provider for the shelter.

“We want to shelter the homeless and make sure they're provided with the right equipment for this national disaster, weather,” said Brother Gary Dantzler, with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island.

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The Pawtucket Soup Kitchen will also serve meals at the shelter.

Organizers say they worked quickly with the city to open up the shelter before the dangerous cold set in.

“We are incredibly relieved, that this warming center will be open before the dangerous temperatures this weekend,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien in a statement.

Pawtucket and its housing authority purchased this building and are looking to find a permanent service provider.

Anyone is welcome at the shelter.