KILLEEN, Texas (Dec. 7, 2023) – During a recent Killeen City Council meeting, Mayor Debbie Nash-King announced a new partnership with two churches to host and assist with future warming centers when needed in our city.
Liberty Christian Center, pastored by Rodney Gilchrist, and Charis Church (formerly Grace Christian Center), pastored by Patrick and Marlena Kiteley will provide the warming center and transportation.
Pastor Gilchrist will open his doors to the community on requested nights, and Pastor Patrick Kiteley will provide transportation from downtown Killeen to Liberty Christian Center (4107 Westcliff Road location). The exact pickup location will be announced once the City distributes information for the next warming center.
“If you see these pastors out in the community, please say thank you,” Mayor Nash-King said. “Our prayers were answered.”
The City of Killeen also plans to use the Killeen Arts and Activities Center (801 North 4th Street) as a warming center on nights when Liberty Christian Center is occupied with their own events.
City warming centers are set up to offer temporary relief from the cold, so no beds or showers are provided. The City of Killeen’s policy is to open a warming center if the temperature or wind chill factor is forecasted to fall below 32 degrees. After checking with the National Weather Service, the decision is made as early as possible, and no later than 3p.m. on the day an overnight center would be opened. Centers are typically open for anyone who needs relief from the temperatures overnight from 8p.m. to 8a.m. The centers close if no one is utilizing the service by 11:30p.m.
The City relies on partnering with organizations to operate warming and cooling centers. We welcome any other organization, church or community group who are able and willing to open their facilities and provide volunteers during the center’s operational hours. Organizations can also provide water and/or light, pre-packaged snacks. Please contact the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at (254) 501-7706 if interested.
As a reminder, City of Killeen buildings are always open to the public and available for warming (and cooling off) during each facility’s normal business hours. Those buildings include City Hall, libraries, the Recreation Center, Police Headquarters, etc. The city requires all community members and visitors at our public facilities to adhere to a code of conduct.
Citizens or organizations who would like to donate water, can drop it off at any Killeen Fire Station on nights when a warming center is open and let them know it is for the warming center.
Stay up to date on our website, www.KilleenTexas.gov, social media platforms (www.Facebook.com/KilleenTexas) and by signing up for city alerts at www.killeentexas.gov/alertcenter. Receive additional updates for emergency information by signing up for the City’s Emergency CODERED system at www.KilleenTexas.gov/ohsem.
All Texas residents can also check the Texas Department of Emergency Management webpage at https://tdem.texas.gov/warm for daily information on where a warming or cooling center is located anywhere in the state. It is updated daily.