TAMPA, Fla. — Many cold-weather shelters across Tampa Bay, including in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, only operate overnight and require guests to leave as early as 6 a.m.

While some locations stay open later, advocates say that still leaves hundreds of people with few safe options during the day, even as temperatures remain dangerously low.

What You Need To Know

Many cold-weather shelters across Tampa Bay, including in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, only operate overnight and require guests to leave as early as 6 a.m.

Many warming shelters also double as daycares, churches, or other businesses that must reopen during the daytime. That means guests are often forced back outside just as the cold lingers

Hope on the Horizon fills a critical gap for those in need during the day with supplies like food, blankets and clothing

Counties across the region are preparing for their annual “Point-in-Time” count of people experiencing homelessness. The count will take place Jan. 29 in Pinellas County and Feb. 26 in Hillsborough County

Many warming shelters also double as daycares, churches, or other businesses that must reopen during the daytime. That means guests are often forced back outside just as the cold lingers.

Brenda Powell, outreach director for the nonprofit Hope on the Horizon, says the timing can be especially risky.

“If you watch the temperatures of a cold snap like this, usually the coldest point of the entire night is around 5 a.m. And most of the shelters close their doors, either between 6 a.m., maybe a little later or by 9 a.m.,” Powell said.

To help bridge the gap, Hope on the Horizon stocks supplies specifically for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather.

“Some jackets, hoodies, blankets,” Powell said, describing the donations kept on hand.

The group’s pantry is also stocked with food thanks to community support.

“We have some more food that we keep frozen in here,” Powell said.

But delivering those resources is not always easy.

“Sometimes there’s a camp of ten people together and only one has a phone. So keeping in touch is very difficult,” she said.

Powell regularly loads her car with supplies and drives to homeless camps throughout the area. One recent stop was south of Gandy Boulevard, where she greeted people by name.

Among them was 28-year-old Kaitlyn, who has been living in the woods with her dog for nearly three years.

“How long have I been out here? I’ve been in the woods for almost three years now,” Kaitlyn said.

She relies on fire pits and donated blankets to stay warm. Despite the cold and the risk of being trespassed, she says shelters are not an option.

“The shelters don’t usually really let you have animals with you. Also, for one or two, a lot of times there’s not any room,” she said.

Transportation is another major barrier for many people seeking shelter, according to Powell.

“They don’t have bus fare, very possibly. And by the time they get there, if the shelter is already at capacity, they’ll get turned away,” she said.

Powell says Hope on the Horizon is often one of the last stops for people with nowhere else to turn.

“The clients that we serve are survivors,” she said.

The organization is currently seeking donations of food, jackets, blankets and hand warmers as cold conditions continue.

Meanwhile, counties across the region are preparing for their annual “Point-in-Time” count of people experiencing homelessness. The count will take place Jan. 29 in Pinellas County and Feb. 26 in Hillsborough County.

The data are used to help shape public policy and determine how funding is distributed for homeless services.