— Editor’s note: This is the second of four stories in a North Kitsap Herald special holiday series, Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The series calls attention to little-known causes that change lives in our community — and how you can help.

POULSBO — Baby, it’s cold outside. And that’s no sweet song for those who have hit a bad stretch, or can’t afford to turn up the heat or keep the fire stoked, or don’t have a roof over their heads.

When winter throws punches, there are places to turn to if you need shelter, need a meal, or need help keeping the heat on. A good place to start is 2-1-1. This information and referral service can connect you with the service you need. (If 2-1-1 is tied up, call 866-736-9634).

Otherwise, here’s where you can turn.

SEVERE-WEATHER SHELTERS
Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management and volunteers operate two severe-weather shelters when temperatures dip below freezing:

— Bremerton Food Line, 1600 12th St., Bremerton.
— North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, Kingston.

When in operation, the shelters are open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. You must check into the shelter by 10 p.m.

If you need transportation to get to a shelter, pick up a voucher for bus fare on Kitsap Transit at North Kitsap Fishline, 787 NW Liberty Lane (at Viking Avenue), Poulsbo. The board of Kitsap Transit approved the distribution of a fixed number of tickets to a variety of social service and other organizations serving low-income and vulnerable populations, according to Monica Bernhard, interim director of housing and community support services for Kitsap Community Resources.

The vouchers “are reserved for those clients who are homeless and need to get to any needed services, including shelter,” said Rae Rodriguez, client services advocate at Fishline.

HOMELESS SHELTER
— YWCA ALIVE Women’s Shelter
An emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. Accepts single women and women with children. Other services: Safety plans, medical assistance, parenting and children programs, assistance obtaining restraining orders. ALIVE has 17 needs, and stays are generally between 60 and 90 days. Call for location: 800-500-5513.

— Benedict House
Benedict House provides emergency shelter and transitional housing with supportive services for single homeless men and homeless men with children. Residents may stay up to 90 days in the emergency shelter, and up to 1 year in transitional housing. 250 S. Cambrian Ave., Bremerton. 360-405-9486.

— Georgia’s House
A home for low-income women and children who are homeless, as well as women who have experienced domestic violence. The house is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are five bedrooms, four of which are used for individual families; the larger bedroom serves as a dorm for single women. It is operated by the Weaver Foundation. 4846 Auto Center Way, Bremerton. 360-479-9020.

— Housing Solutions Center
The center connects individuals and families that are homeless with emergency shelter and housing resources. A one-stop resource for all housing assistance in Kitsap County, including shelters, rental assistance and landlord referrals. 360-473-2035.

— Kitsap Rescue Mission
Operates two Discipleship Homes for single men who are homeless. 1003 5th St., Bremerton. 360-373-3428.

—North Kitsap Fishline
Fishline works with various venues, including motels, to provide from two to five nights of emergency shelter for people who are homeless. Fishline’s Safe Park program provides safe parking for up to five cars for single women who are temporarily living in their vehicles. Safe Park is for single women only and is case managed. Fishline staff can help locate other housing options if you have children. 787 NW Liberty Lane (at Viking Avenue), Poulsbo. 360-779-5190.

— St. Vincent de Paul Bremerton
Emergency housing for single women and, if space allows, single women with children. 1137 Callow Ave. N, Bremerton. 360-479-7017. (Between 5-10 p.m., call the Crisis Clinic of Kitsap County, 360-479-3033, and it will contact the shelter for you.)

HOUSING, RENT, UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
— North Kitsap Fishline
Fishline’s Home Share program can be a viable option for anyone seeking affordable housing. Home owners at risk of foreclosure can be paired with a renter whose payments can supplement the mortgage payment; individuals and couples with limited incomes find a room for rent, making life a bit easier until their income improves or they are able to get into low-income housing.

Other Fishline programs: Assistance paying up-front rental fees, such as first-month’s rent; rent assistance for those who have been served with an eviction notice; one-time rental assistance for those experiencing a financial crisis. 787 NW Liberty Lane (at Viking Avenue), Poulsbo. 360-779-5190.

— ShareNet Food Bank
Emergency food provision, rental and utility assistance for those served with eviction or shut-off notices, and a weekend take-home food program for school children. 26061 United Road (off Highway 104), Kingston. 360-297-2266.

— St. Vincent de Paul Poulsbo
Assistance with rent payment, utility payment, and food. Located at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 18943 Caldart Ave. NE, Poulsbo. 360-779-9980.

FOOD
— Kingston Food Bank
In addition to food, the Kingston Food Bank has a clothing bank and personal-hygiene kits. Illinois Avenue at Highway 104, Kingston. 360-297-4861 or 360-297-7100.

— North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank
787 NW Liberty Lane (at Viking Avenue), Poulsbo. 360-779-5190.

— ShareNet Food and Clothing Bank
Emergency food provision, rental and utility assistance for those served with eviction or shut-off notices, and a weekend take-home food program for school children. 26061 United Road (off Highway 104), Kingston. 360-297-2266.

— St. Vincent de Paul Poulsbo
Assistance with food, as well as emergency payment of rent and utilities. Located at St. Olaf’s Catholic Church, 18943 Caldart Ave. NE, Poulsbo. 360-779-9980.

COMMUNITY MEALS
Perhaps you’ve paid the bills and you’re short on funds for food. Or, the short days are making you feel blue and lonely. Or, perhaps, you’re just hungry. “Please come here and spend some time with us — no questions asked,” said Mark Costa of Gateway Fellowship, one of several sites that regularly serve free community dinners.

“We endeavor to be a helping hand when people are encountering a difficult season in their lives,” Costa said. “And who hasn’t encountered a difficult time in their lives?”

Here’s where your neighbors are serving community meals:

— Bayside Community Church: Last Friday of every month, 5–6:30 p.m., 25992 Barber Cutoff Road, Kingston.

— Gateway Fellowship: First Friday of the month, dinner, 6 p.m. Every Saturday, lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 18901 8th Ave. NE, Poulsbo. 360-779-5515.

— Poulsbo First Lutheran Church: Every Thursday, 5-6 p.m. 18920 4th Ave. NE. Poulsbo.

— St. Olaf’s Catholic Church: Third Monday of the month, 5 p.m. 18943 Caldart Ave., Poulsbo.

— Seventh-day Adventist Church: Last Monday of every month, 5–6:30 p.m., 1700 NE Lincoln Ave., Poulsbo.

— Suquamish UCC: Every Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. 18732 Division Ave. NE, Suquamish.

— The Salvation Army: Monday through Friday, free breakfast and lunch. 832 6th St., Bremerton. 360-373-5550.