Mason City, IA – As temperatures dip across North Iowa, several Cerro Gordo County churches are opening temporary warming shelters today and Thursday to help residents seeking heat, meals, and safe overnight spaces.
According to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, four churches will rotate evening and overnight coverage on Wednesday, December 3, and Thursday, December 4, offering everything from hot meals to supervised overnight rest areas.
The first shelter, Trinity Lutheran at 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., will open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., with a free meal served at 6 p.m. Organizers said the early-evening window is designed for families, individuals without transportation, and anyone needing a warm space before nightfall.
St. Paul Lutheran at 329 E. State Street will follow from 9 p.m. to midnight, providing warm beverages and soup service, according to volunteers.
Overnight accommodations will then shift to Praise Community Church at 11 2nd St. NW from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., before the final shelter—the One Church facility at 318 N. Adams Ave.—opens from 4:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., completing the full overnight coverage.
Community partners including Friends of the Family, Freedom In His Grace, The Beacon, and the North Iowa Impact Team assisted in coordinating volunteers and transportation options.
County officials encourage anyone lacking safe heat, experiencing homelessness, or needing temporary overnight refuge to use these services. Residents are also asked to share the information with neighbors who may be unaware of the rotating shelter system.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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