Cold temperatures ahead have put local warming shelters into action.

St. Vincent de Paul's warming center at 202 W. Seventh St. in Post Falls will be open tonight through Friday night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. It will be open through March on nights expected to dip below 25 degrees.

In Coeur d'Alene, Fresh Start, 1524 E. Sherman Ave., will also be open starting at 7 p.m. on nights predicted to reach below 25.

For those utilizing the St. Vincent shelter, transportation will leave from the nonprofit's dining hall at First and Walnut in Coeur d'Alene at 6:45 p.m. on the nights the shelter is open.

Guests will be transported back to Coeur d'Alene the next morning.

"We've been getting the shelter ready for three weeks," said Ben Kiesbuy, St. Vincent warming shelter coordinator. "It's a great thing for those in need."

St. Vincent uses a 15-passenger van for transportation.

"If we need to make multiple trips, we do," Kiesbuy said.

The shelter is behind the Post Falls St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in the Kamps Apartment basement. St. Vincent can shelter 37 people and will have donated sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, stocking caps, coats, a full bathroom, warm food and drinks.

A meal will be served around 8 each night the shelter is open.

Kiesbuy said there hasn't been a recent count of the number of homeless in the area this year because temperatures are just now getting below freezing. A count will be taken later this winter.

St. Vincent also serves a meal at its dining hall in Coeur d'Alene from 5-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Because of the need, both nonprofits are accepting donations. Fresh Start is a drop-in center for those in need of food, clothes or Internet access.

For more information or how to help or donate, contact Kiesbuy at 704-1028 or Fresh Start from 7:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday at 667-9798.