MEMPHIS, Tenn —  City leaders opened two additional warming centers Wednesday night when temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits. The centers in Orange Mound, Frayser, and near Downtown are  designed to provide a place to stay warm after places like libraries and malls have closed for the night.

Despite efforts made by the city, the centers were largely unused Wednesday evening.  Two visits to the Ed Rice Community Center on Watkins showed not a single visitor showing up to stay warm.  Staff promised to call WREG if someone showed up. We never got a call.

At the Gaston Community Center on Third Street, only one person showed up.

There’s a third Center at the Orange Mound Community Center on Park Avenue.

Community members say the need is there but often time the elderly are hesitant to leave their homes, even if they’re just using a space heater or a stove to stay warm.

The city partnered with MATA to provide transportation to the centers, in hopes more people will use them.

The centers are open in addition to the Union Mission at 383 Poplar and the Salvation Arm at 696 Jackson Avenue.