Community Cooperative opens warming center as cold weather hits Fort Myers

The organization is providing coffee, blankets and warm gear to help residents during the cold snap.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:07pm

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The Community Cooperative in Fort Myers, Florida has opened its doors early as a warming station, providing coffee, blankets, and warm weather gear to help residents weather an unusual cold snap in the area. The cooperative is acting as a resiliency hub, opening at 7 a.m. daily to ensure people can get off the street and stay warm. Staff are distributing essential supplies throughout the day until 5 p.m. The organization is seeing new faces each day as word spreads about the warming center services, and is asking the community for donations of gloves, hats, men's pants and other warm weather items.

Why it matters

Southwest Florida is not typically known for cold weather, so this cold snap has caught many residents off guard, especially those experiencing homelessness or living in inadequate housing. The Community Cooperative's warming center is providing a critical service to help vulnerable residents stay safe and warm during the frigid temperatures.

The details

The Community Cooperative is opening its doors at 7 a.m. daily to serve as a warming center, providing coffee, hot chocolate, blankets and warm weather gear to residents in need. The organization is partnering with Lee County and the United Way network to coordinate services. Staff are distributing essential supplies throughout the day until 5 p.m. The cooperative is monitoring weather conditions and plans to keep the early opening schedule throughout the week.

  • The Community Cooperative opened its warming center on January 28, 2026.
  • The warming center is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The players

Community Cooperative

A local community organization in Fort Myers, Florida that is providing a warming center and essential supplies to residents during the cold weather.

Stephanie Ink

The CEO of the Community Cooperative.

Ralph Dean

A 67-year-old unhoused resident who relies on Social Security and is visiting the warming center daily for meals and assistance.

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What they’re saying

“Here in southwest Florida, we're used to hot, rainy days, but when it comes to the weather that we have had recently, and we're going to continue having here, it's cold. It's really cold for a lot of people who can't either afford to have heat, they live in their cars, or, unfortunately, they're living on the street.”

— Stephanie Ink, CEO of Community Cooperative (fox4now.com)

“Well, I have most of what I need, except for hand warmers, and I don't have the money to buy more food. Hand warmers is biggest thing. Hand warmers for your hands and for your feet, because sometimes you have to put them on your feet too.”

— Ralph Dean (fox4now.com)

“I guess because we can't afford it on our own. Otherwise we wouldn't have it if people don't donate to us or to them to help us.”

— Ralph Dean (fox4now.com)

What’s next

The Community Cooperative plans to continue operating the warming center throughout the week, monitoring weather conditions and posting updates on their website and social media pages.

The takeaway

The Community Cooperative's warming center is a vital resource for vulnerable residents in Fort Myers during this unexpected cold snap, highlighting the importance of community organizations stepping up to provide essential services and support when extreme weather hits areas not typically prepared for it.