As the temperature drops, a number of winter shelters throughout the Bay Area are opening up to accommodate the homeless, keeping them safe on cold and rainy nights.

The San Francisco Interfaith Council offers staggered shelter service throughout the winter.

St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 1031 Franklin St. opened Sunday, serving as many as 65 people daily, providing dinner and breakfast. The shelter closes on Dec. 8. Service runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

St. Mary's Cathedral at 1111 Gough St., providing dinner and breakfast to 100 people, opens Dec. 9 and closes Dec. 29. Service runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

St. Boniface at 133 Golden Gate Ave. serves dinner and breakfast to 60 people. The shelter opens daily 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. from Dec. 30 to Jan. 26.

And First Unitarian Church at 1187 Franklin St., providing dinner and breakfast to 70 people, opens daily 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Jan. 27 through Feb. 23.

In the East Bay, at the Oakland Army Base, a temporary winter shelter will be in place to assist homeless people through the cold months. The shelter opened Thursday and will close April 15.

It is a collaborative effort between Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda County to serve men and women. The shelter will provide a bed for up to 100 single people -- 50 for each city.

The two cities will also provide a Winter Voucher Program to allow homeless families and disabled people a motel room to stay in for a night.

In very rainy days, an additional 50 people will receive shelter from The First Congregational Church in Berkeley as part of the Berkeley Emergency Storm Shelter Project.

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County provides homeless families with winter nights rotating family shelters, serving up to 30 people at any given time.

The shelter, open until early May, is staffed 24 hours a day, proving a warm, clean and safe environment for homeless in need of shelter.

Children are transported to school each day, and the shelter gives parents the opportunity to search for work. The service also helps families seek longer-term housing through several programs.

In the North Bay, the St. Vincent de Paul organization in San Rafael provides its Rotating Emergency Shelter Team, or REST, for up to 40 homeless men and 20 homeless women daily.

The shelter program, a cooperative effort with 15 other congregations throughout the county, is in its fourth year providing food and shelter to the homeless.

The service began last Thursday and concludes in April.

Beginning Monday, cold winter shelters will be in place in three locations throughout Santa Clara County. The shelters serve as an escape from the harsh winter weather.

Homeless men, women and families can find shelter at Boccardo Reception Center in San Jose, and the Gilroy and Sunnyvale National Guard armories. Service runs through March.

The Boccardo Reception Center also serves as an emergency shelter year-round, providing a number of supportive services.