Map of public warming centers in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Updated: 2:52 p.m. CST, January 9, 2025

IF YOU NEED A WARM BED AT ANY TIME. >> It’s freezing outside. The Hope Campus is opening its emergency shelter to anyone ages 18 and older who needs a bed. All you are asked to do is be here by 5:00 p.m. to be checked in. >> I used to tell myself that if I had a place to stay, I would never come here to stay overnight, but you just can’t beat having a bed at night. >> HEATHER HELFRICH IS FROM FORT SMITH. She says by the time she got to the Hope campus, she had been homeless for about three months. >> VERY HEAVY. HAVE NO HOPE. LOST. They give me volunteer hours to work at the front desk and find out something new together. I was able to maintain my sobriety for eight months, I probably couldn’t have done it without this place. >> WE HAVE 140 INDIVIDUALS EVERY NIGHT. >> CHRIS DOURIDAS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOPE CAMPUS, SAYS THE HOMELESS RATE IS UP 18% STATEWARD COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, and he says the need for emergency shelter is also growing in the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas. JOANNA SAYS THE BEDS ON THE HOPE CAMPUS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS FULL, BUT WHEN IT’S FREEZING OUTSIDE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 C, WE TURN ZERO PEOPLE AWAY. >> IN COLD WEATHER 70 PEOPLE REGISTER. NO PROBLEM. The first 60 come right here, and then I’ll have ten people out in the hallway. WE CAN DO IT. Just be home on time because we have a curfew like 1030 or something. Do not drink alcohol or drugs on my property. IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE. Honestly, I don’t want to sleep outside in freezing temperatures. NOT ON HARD CONCRETE. NO, SIR. >> FOLLOW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. >> YOU WILL. HOPE CAMPUS CAN ALSO HELP THOSE WHO WANT MORE THAN JUST A WARM BED. AFTER BEING HERE FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS, HELFRICH IS NOW WORKING ON HAVE A HOME OF OWN AGAIN. >> You have to make an effort and try to help yourself because they offer job preparation courses to help you get back to work. You have to want to change. There is nothing better than having your own apartment, your own privacy, your own space. >> THE SALVATION ARMY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AREA ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN NEED OF EMERGENCY SHELTERS HERE ON THE HOPE CAMPUS. They also serve three meals a day, free to anyone who wants to join in

Map of public warming centers in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Updated: 2:52 p.m. CST, January 9, 2025

Seven warming centers will be open to the public during the bitter cold and snow Thursday and Friday. The information in the map and list below comes from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. It is a good idea to call the warming center before proceeding.BentonvilleHealvation Army Heating Center at 3305 SW I Street (479) 271-9545Property check-in is available daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Meals are served at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Fayetteville Jefferson Elementary Heating Center at 612 S. College Ave. (479) 966-4378This is an overnight accommodation with daytime operations from 6am to 6pm. Overflow is located at Genesis Church. Genesis Church (Overflow) at 205 MLK Jr. Blvd. (479) 966-4378 or (479) 442-1872 Overflow overnight lodging. Must report to the old Jefferson Elementary School or call 7hills for more information at (479) 966-4378. Salvation Army Heating Center at 219 W. 15th St. (479) 521-2151 Check-in for overnight accommodations is 4 p.m. 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Fort Smith Salvation Army Heating Center at 301 N. 6th Street (479) 783-6145 Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m p.m. and Friday from 9 p.m. to 12 p.m pm.Next Step Homeless Services Heating Center at 123 N. 6th Street (479) 782-5433Open January 6 through January 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone in need, including those coming to the shelter You will receive both lunch as well as dinner.Riverview Hope Campus, 301 S. E Street(479) 688-4764The Warming Shelter of Hope Campus is open to anyone in need, provided they are at least 18 years old, from 5:00 p.m. when outside temperatures reach 32 degrees or below. The capacity is 60 beds, but no one who shows up will be turned away.

FORT SMITH, Ark. –

Seven warming centers will be open to the public during the bitter cold and snow Thursday and Friday.

The information in the map and list below comes from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management. It’s a good idea to call the warming center before heading out.

Bentonville

Salvation Army Heating Center at 3305 SW I Street
(479) 271-9545
Check-in for the property is possible daily from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Meals are served at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m

Fayetteville

Jefferson Elementary Heating Center at 612 S. College Ave.
(479) 966-4378
This is an overnight accommodation with daytime operations from 6am to 6pm. The overflow is in Genesis Church.

Genesis Church (Overflow) at 205 MLK Jr. Blvd.
(479) 966-4378 or (479) 442-1872
Overflow overnight accommodation. I need to contact the old Jefferson Elementary School or call 7hills at (479) 966-4378 for more information.

Salvation Army Heating Center at 219 W. 15th St.
(479) 521-2151
Check-in for the overnight accommodation is from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dinner is served Monday to Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Fort Smith

Salvation Army Heating Center at 301 N. 6th Street
(479) 783-6145
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 9 p.m. to 12 p.m.

Next Step Homeless Services Heating Center at 123 N. 6th Street
(479) 782-5433
Open January 6-10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone in need, with lunch and dinner also provided to those who come to the shelter.

Riverview Hope Campus at 301 S. E Street
(479) 688-4764
The Hope Campus warming shelter is open to anyone in need as long as they are at least 18 years old. Opening hours begin at 5 p.m. when temperatures outside reach 32 degrees or less. The capacity is 60 beds, but no one who shows up will be turned away.