Nonprofits and volunteers in Plano team up to provide warmth and essential services to the unhoused

Kelsey Hayes January 8, 2025

The Plano Overnight Warming Station (POWS) is getting ready to welcome more than 100 people every night this week during the winter storm

Plano, Texas – The city of Plano and several nonprofit organizations have stepped up their efforts to give those most vulnerable warmth and refuge as winter’s chill tightens the area. Preparations are under way to guarantee that people without homes find a comfortable place to stay as temperatures projected to drop further under freezing this week and snow is predicted for Thursday and Friday.

An important part of these efforts, the Plano Overnight Warming Station (POWS) is getting ready to welcome more than 100 people every night this week. Operating as a cooperation between the City of Plano, East Plano Islamic Center, The Salvation Army, and many other nonprofit groups and volunteers, POWS provides a secure refuge for the unhoused. Apart from a cozy place for sleeping, the station offers necessary services to meet the immediate needs of its visitors.

Community members are urged to help POWS run by giving new or slightly used clothes and sanitation items. Essential items such as socks, shoes, underwear, jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, winter hats, gloves, and books are in high demand. During operating hours, donations can be dropped off at designated sites all across the city including First Presbyterian Church, Hope Restored Missions, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.

For those wishing to make contributions, it’s advised to bag and label items specifically for POWS to streamline the distribution process. POWS is situated in the East Plano Islamic Center, which also helps bus pickups for visitors at the DART Parker Road Station between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. It’s important to note that the doors of the warming station close at 10 p.m., and late arrivals must be accompanied by either the Plano Police Department or Plano Fire-Rescue to gain entry.

Apart from human essentials, the City of Plano emphasizes the preservation of pipelines, plants, and animals during cold snaps. To stop frost damage, residents are advised to keep dogs within and cover outside vegetation with cloth fabric. Covering outside pipes and allowing faucets to drip slightly is also advised to help prevent freezing and potential bursts.

Local leaders and groups advise everyone to be proactive in protecting themselves and helping others while ERCOT assures the public of the dependability of the grid during this bad weather. Plano wants to make sure every citizen, regardless of their housing circumstances, can enjoy a safe and pleasant winter by coming together as a community and supporting projects like POWS.

Items to donate include:

Socks (esp. wool socks) * Shoes * Underwear (new, in packaging) * Jeans * Sweatshirts / hoodies * Winter hats / gloves * Books / activity books * New individual-size hygiene items including razors, lotion, deodorant, etc.
Blankets must be bagged separately from other items and ONLY delivered to Hope Restored

Donation locations:

Hope Restored Missions 1947 K Ave. Plano, TX 75074 Week of Jan. 7-10: Tuesday, Wednesday, (closed Thursday), Friday: 10 am-4 pm
Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church 1201 Alma Dr. Plano, TX 75075 (NW corner Alma Dr./15th St.) Week of Jan. 7-10: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10 am-4 pm
First Presbyterian Church 1500 Jupiter Road Plano, TX 75074 Week of Jan. 7-10: Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:30 am-2 pm (Call first: 972-423-4292) **Donations can always be dropped off past Jan. 10 at this location