MTD’s Illinois Terminal in downtown Champaign serves many purposes including a safe and warm place to wait for your next bus.
Inspired by the good news of an overnight shelter for homeless men in Champaign-Urbana, we’re dedicating this week’s blog post to the food and shelter resources in our community. The winter months can be some of the hardest for the homeless and poor in our community. Transportation is vital to their ability to stay safe and warm, while also accessing the resources they need.
We encourage everyone to use the below information as starting points for trip planning and navigation. Please use our online Trip Planner and web Maps & Schedules to get full details about route paths, hours, and frequency. People can also grab an updated printed copy of our Maps & Schedules book at Illinois Terminal or on board any bus at no charge. And if there is service on the street, there are always people answering the phones who can assist you. So please don’t hesitate to call us at 217.384.8188.
Winter Emergency Shelter for Women
Austin’s Place provides overnight emergency shelter for women during the winter months at First United Methodist Church located at 210 West Church Street in Champaign. The shelter is open through March 15, 2017 from 7:30 pm until 7:00 am.
People can get there during the weekday daytime on the 3 Lavender, 5 Green and GREENhopper, 6 Orange, 7 Grey, or 9A and 9B Brown. During the weekday evening and over the weekend, route options include the 50 Green and 70 Grey.
Winter Emergency Shelters for Men
The two shelters are open through March 31, 2017 from 9:30 pm to 6:30 am. Sunday through Thursday, the shelter is at the First Presbyterian Church located at 302 West Church Street in Champaign. Friday and Saturday, the shelter is the Faith United Methodist Church located located at 1719 South Prospect Avenue in Champaign.
People can get to the First Presbyterian Church during the weekday daytime on the 1 Yellow, 3 Lavender, 5 Green and GREENhopper, 6 Orange, 7 Grey, and 9A or 9B Brown. During the weekday evening, people can take the 50 Green and GREENhopper or the 70 Grey.
We seldom let the snow get us down. All members of the community can count on MTD for a ride come snow and ice, rain and fog.
Faith United Methodist Church is served during the day on Friday by the 10 Gold. But those travelling in the evening hours or on Saturday will experience increased difficulty. MTD met with representatives from Faith United Methodist Church, including Sheryl Palmer. She wants to direct men to a few bus stop pick up locations.
“We’re running a shuttle to the Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries – both served by the 50 Green,” Palmer said. “We will also drive into the now vacant County Market parking lot on Kirby near the bus stop of State & Kirby for the 100 Yellow.”
When temperatures fall below 10 degrees, the Faith United Methodist Church shuttles will also stop at The Phoenix located at 34 East Green Street in Champaign. People can get to The Phoenix on the 5/50 Green and GREENhopper.
The Phoenix
This day-time drop in center provides a year-round center and winter daytime warming site for those in our community that need a place to be. Regular hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Additional hours may be added (ranging between 6:30 am to 9:00 pm) when daytime temperatures drop below zero and volunteers are available.
It is located at 34 East Green Street in Champaign and is served frequently with the combination of the 5/50 Green and GREENhopper.
C-U Canteen Run and Overnight Warming Center
This mobile truck offers food, drinks, and blankets Sundays 3:00 to 5:00 pm and Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 6:30 to 9:00 pm.
The truck leaves from The Salvation Army on Market Street and stops at MTD’s Illinois Terminal (almost every MTD route), West Side Park (3/30 Lavender, 5/50 Green and GREENhopper, 6 Orange, or 7 Grey), Catholic Worker House (1 Yellow, 3 Lavender, 5/50 Green and GREENhopper, 7 Grey, or 9A or 9B Brown), and the Urbana Free Library (5/50 Green and GREENhopper, 7/70 Grey, 8 Bronze, 10 Gold, 11/110 Ruby, or 13/130 Silver).
The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen
A “safe, respectful, and inviting environment in an atmosphere of hope and dignity” is located at 116 North First Street in Champaign. They are open daily from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm (doors are open 10:30 am to 12:45 pm).
The Daily Bread is within walking distance from Illinois Terminal where a majority of MTD routes stop. The closest bus stop is Second & Park which is served by the 7/70 Grey.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers emergency housing and a warming center at two locations.
The Salvation Army Red Shield Center serves as a daytime warming center from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. When requested by Champaign County Emergency Management, weekends will also be available for the same hours at The Salvation Army Church.
The Salvation Army Church is located at 502 North Prospect Avenue in Champaign. People can get there by bus during the weekday daytime on the 1 Yellow, 3 Lavender, or 7 Grey. On Saturday and Sunday, the 30 Lavender is the route to take.
The Salvation Army Red Shield Center is located 2212 North Market Street in Champaign. People can take the 1 Yellow and 2 Red during the weekday daytime, the 100 Yellow during the weekday evening, and the 20 Red and 100 Yellow over the weekend.
Additional Resources
We referenced this listing on the City of Champaign’s website to put together this blog post. There are additional resources listed there that include information for families with school-aged children and more details about accessing these services.
Did we miss anything? Add your knowledge to the comments.
