Knoxville, Tenn. – Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted this week, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is partnering with the Knoxville–Knox County Office of Housing Stability to provide complimentary rides to warming centers from Sunday, February 16 through February 22, 2025.
Passengers may begin requesting free rides to warming centers after 3:00 p.m. each afternoon. Passengers can take any route to get to the warming center of their choice, and when they board the bus, they need to notify the bus operator that they are requesting a free ride to a warming center.
“Providing free transportation to warming centers is a vital part of our mission to serve the Knoxville community,” said Isaac Thorne, Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville. “During these dangerously cold temperatures, ensuring access to warm and safe shelter can save lives, and KAT is committed to supporting this critical effort.”
Warming centers open on any night that the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to drop below 25 degrees. As they have done since early December, four local churches will open their doors overnight to provide a warm, indoor space. In addition, there is a Homeless Shelter overflow site located at Salvation Army. Their schedules vary and are subject to change as forecasts develop.
The locations, and the KAT routes that can be taken to them, are as follows:
West:
Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike
Opens at 7:00 p.m. Sunday to 8:00 am Monday
Take KAT Route 16: Middlebrook/Cedar Bluff – exit Cedar Bluff before/after Kingston Pike, then walk to Kingston Pike and go west. Cokesbury church is on the right just past Perimeter Park Rd.
North:
Fountain City United Methodist, 212 Hotel Rd
Opens at 9:00 p.m. Sunday to 7:00 am Monday
Take KAT Route 22: Broadway – exit Broadway @ Hotel
City Center:
All Souls Church, 100 W Fifth Ave
• WILL CATER TO PEOPLE AGE 50+ AND VETERANS
Open 6:00 pm Sunday to 8:00 am Monday
Take KAT Route 31: Magnolia – exit Magnolia @ Harrison
Homeless shelter overflow site:
Salvation Army, 409 N Broadway
Opens at 6:00 p.m. Sunday to 8:00 am Monday
Take KAT Route 22: Broadway – exit Broadway @ Depot, or exit Broadway @ 5th Ave
Take KAT Route 16: Middlebrook/Cedar Bluff – exit 5th Ave @ Broadway or exit 5th Ave @ Cooper
Participating churches rely on volunteers and donated supplies to operate these warming centers and the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability is helping coordinate these efforts.
Warming Center West: Cokesbury Church at 9919 Kingston Pike
To volunteer, please go to https://cokesbury.tv/warming and click the “Volunteer Interest” button
Warming Center North: Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Rd.
To volunteer, please go to https://www.fountaincityumc.org/north-knoxville-warming-center/
Warming Center East: Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Ave.
To volunteer, please text Kecia Armstrong at 865-228-0990
Homeless shelter overflow site: Salvation Army at 409 N Broadway
To volunteer, please go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AAEA72BA2FBCF8-54179014-inneed#/
Supplies are also needed: new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, gloves and hats; new toiletries and socks are especially appreciated. If you would like to donate supplies, please drop them off at Knox Area Rescue Ministries at 418 North Broadway. A dedicated trailer has been set up to hold warming center donations, so all donations meant for warming centers will be reserved for that effort. If you’d like more information please contact KARM at (865) 673-6540 or email info@karm.org.
For more information on this new release, please contact:
Pat Downs, Chief Administrative Officer, Knoxville Area Transit
pdowns@katbus.com
865-562-5611
Erin Read, Executive Director, Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability
Erin.read@knoxtnhousing.org
865-599-7475
