Where to Find Winter Warming Centers in Southwest Michigan

As we all saw over Thanksgiving weekend, winter is no longer just on the way, it’s here, with a vengeance. Temperatures have quickly fallen below freezing and we have already seen both regular and lake effect snow this year. As many of us will say and are used to, it appears we are in for a traditional Michigan winter.

Those of us who are from Michigan or have lived here for any length of time know how harsh winter can be for us, especially those of us who live near the lakeshores. There are already significant amounts of snow across the state and we are preparing for another storm to move through the Mitten State.

However, temperatures will continue to fall and remain below freezing over the next few months. This immediately brings my thoughts and the thoughts of many others to those who are less fortunate or struggling with homelessness as they contend with these harsh conditions in Southwest Michigan.

There are many people and organizations in Southwest Michigan who take the time and effort to provide these people with warm space and resources so they don’t have to endure the winter. Below is a list of warming centers in Southwest Michigan and some of the services they offer:

Benton Harbor:

Salvation Army Benton Harbor (233 Michigan St.)

• Call 269-927-1353 for availability

Dowagiac

Dowagiac Train Depot (200 Depot Dr.)

Bangor

Bangor Train Depot (541 Railroad St.)

Decatur

Decatur Police Department Lobby (114 N. Phelps St.)

• Available for overnight stays

Niles

City of Niles Community Development (508 E. Main St.)

• For availability, call 269-683-4700

Salvation Army Niles (424 N 15th St.)

• Call 269-684-2660 for availability

Kalamazoo

Ministry with community

500 N. Edwards St., Kalamazoo

• Monday-Sunday 6:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m
• They provide breakfast and lunch, showers, laundry and other necessities.
• (269) 343-6073
• https://ministrywithcommunity.org/

Westminster Presbyterian Church

• 1515 Helen Ave., Portage
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
• They will provide food.
• (269) 344-3966
• https://www.wpcportage.org/

Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

• 448 N. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
• Monday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
• Entry is possible at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m
• (269) 345-2974
• https://www.kzoogospel.org/

The Salvation Army

• 1700 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
• Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m

Lansing

New Hope Community Center

• 430 N Larch Street, Lansing
• The day shelter is open Monday to Friday
• Meals are served at 7:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (MF) and at 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Sat-Sun).
• Experienced legal clinic for disabled, unaccommodated clients.
• Sparrow Clinic available.

City of Lansing Rescue Mission

• Men’s Shelter: 607 E Michigan, Lansing
• Women and Children’s Home: 2216 S Cedar, Lansing
• https://www.bearescuer.org/

Foster Community Center of the City of Lansing

• 200 N Foster Street, Lansing
• Phone: 517-483-4233
• Weekday opening times: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m
• Weekend opening hours: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

City of Lansing Greed Community Center

• 2400 Hall Street, Lansing
• Phone: 517-483-4313
• Weekday opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m
• Weekend opening hours: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

City of Lansing Letts Community Center

• 1220 W Kalamazoo Street, Lansing
• Phone: 517-483-4051
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

City of Lansing Schmidt Community Center

• 5825 Wise Road, Lansing
• Phone: 517-483-6686
• Weekday opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m
• Weekend opening hours: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

South Lansing Library

• 3500 S Cedar Street, Lansing
• Phone: 517-272-9840
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

CADL Downtown Library

• 401 S Capitol Avenue, Lansing
• Phone: 517-367-6350
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

CATA transportation center

• 420 S Grand Avenue, Lansing
• Phone: 517-394-1100
• Weekday opening times: Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
• Weekend opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Advent house

• 743 N Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Lansing
• (517)485-4722

Jackson

Jackson Interfaith Shelter

• 414 South Blackstone Street, Jackson
• (517) 789-8735
• https://www.interfaithshelter.com/

Battle Creek

Battle Creek Shelter

• 209 E. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek
• (269) 753-1270
• https://bchomelessshelter.com/

SHARE Center

• 120 Grove Street, Battle Creek
• (269) 964-8113
• https://sharecenterbc.org/

Port of Tranquility Ministries

• 11 Green Street, Battle Creek
• (269) 965-1148
• https://thehavenbc.org/

First Congregational Church

• 145 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek
• (269) 965-1225
• https://www.fccbc.org/
• Emergency overflow shelter and day center