An emergency shelter has opened in Murrieta to give those in Southwest County without roofs over their heads somewhere dry and warm to rest.

The shelter, at Grace of Temecula Valley Church in Murrieta, will remain open 24 hours a day this week and possibly into early next week, said Anne Unmacht, president of Project TOUCH, a Menifee-based homeless advocacy group that organized the shelter effort.

"Ever since we saw the weather forecast, we've been scrambling," Unmacht said. "It's going to rain again early next week, so we're playing it by ear."

People in need can spend the whole day at the shelter, on Eastman Drive between Date and Elm streets downtown, and then will be invited to sleep inside the sanctuary at night. Guests will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, said Risa Maxey, director of the Angel Food Ministries food bank that operates out of the church.

The shelter opened Sunday night, and between 12 and 15 people came in, representatives said. More are expected to trickle in, maybe even pour in as the rain picks up.

"That's one of the problems we have," Maxey said. "We don't have a place where people can go when the weather gets bad. Who is going to open their doors to them?"

The shelter is being supported by numerous local churches, restaurants and food pantries, Unmacht said. Some churches donated blankets, sleeping bags and volunteer time, and local restaurants have promised to contribute meals.

More supplies are needed, shelter representatives said.

Donations of blankets, air mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags and clothes, as well as nonperishable foods, hygiene products and money, will be accepted at the shelter or at Project TOUCH headquarters all week. Shelter representatives said they need propane to heat the warehouse being used as the day shelter.

The donations will go directly toward supporting the emergency shelter, and anything left over could be used in future efforts to bring a permanent shelter to Southwest County.

Estimates on the number of homeless people in Southwest County have been difficult to ascertain, Unmacht said, especially now, after the region is barely starting to recover from wave after wave of home foreclosures.

Other organizations that offer basic services such as food and clothing have estimated unprecedented growth in the number of people needing assistance. Thousands of Southwest County families seek food assistance every week from numerous food banks.

"People are trying to keep their kids in this area for the schools, but they're homeless," Unmacht said. "If you want to stay here, you have to stay in your car."

Call staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at 951-676-4315, ext. 2626.

Homeless Shelter

WHAT: Emergency shelter open 24 hours through the weekend

WHERE: 41633 Eastman Drive, Murrieta.

MORE INFO: For after-hours admittance, call Grace of Temecula Valley Church at 951-506-2425 or local police departments.

HOW TO HELP: Donations of clothing, propane, blankets, air mattresses, sleeping bags, food and money can be dropped off at the shelter, and monetary donations should be sent to a Project TOUCH P.O. Box at 30141 Antelope Road, D-103, Menifee, 92584. Project TOUCH is a nonprofit organization committed to helping the homeless.