St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho is preparing again to offer a warming center for homeless individuals during bouts of extreme cold this winter.

“We are pleased to offer this necessary service to help some of the most vulnerable people during harsh weather,” said St. Vincent de Paul director Jeff Conroy. “In planning for the harsh weather we must consider the homeless and their safety.”

The St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Warming Center will be activated when temperatures are predicted to fall below 30 degrees between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28. When opened, the shelter will be in addition to St. Vincent de Paul’s regular homeless shelters, allowing more people to get out of the cold. The center is not set up for regular housing.

The Post Falls Shelter is located at 202 W. Seventh St. in Post Falls, behind the Post Falls St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, in the Kamps Apartment basement. Transportation will be leaving from the St. Vincent de Paul Community Dining Hall, Father Bill’s Kitchen, at 6:30 p.m. on the nights the center is open, with transport back the next morning.

St. Vincent de Paul is able to shelter 45 individuals and will have available sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, stocking caps, coats, full bathrooms, warm food and drinks. The Coeur d’Alene site will be used as overflow.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to donate sleeping bags, blankets and food,” said a press release. “Thank you to the churches and families who have been bringing warm meals to use. Everything has been so appreciated by those we serve. We also want to thank both the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene Police and Fire Departments for working with us and supporting what we’re doing. And thank you Post Falls Mayor Jacobson and Coeur d’Alene Mayor Widmyer for keeping the lines of communication open.”

To donate, contact the warming center coordinator at (208) 416-4721.