Community supports warming center
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church officials decided Wednesday to keep its warming center open today and close Friday after breakfast.
Temperatures are set to dip down to 26 degrees overnight, with Friday set to warm up to 50 degrees during the day.
Members of the church, located at 228 Spring St., said the community support that has kept this center going has been overwhelming.
“We want the community to know that we are so appreciative of their support,” Sally Carder said. “We had 47 people spend the night, and served 300 plates throughout the day Tuesday.”
In addition to the hot meals served, around 100 sack lunches have been provided
over the last few days, as well.
Roughly 50 volunteers worked around the clock to keep the warming center open, including some who don’t attend church at St. Luke’s.
Carder, a member of St. Luke’s, said they have been overwhelmed with donations thanks to the community. However, items continue to go fast as people take the necessities they need. Gloves, stocking caps, toothbrushes, soap and other toiletries are still needed.
“We will continue to give out anything anyone needs, even after we close the warming center,” Carder said.
Jackson House, which provides lunch to the homeless, remained closed Wednesday, meaning a larger lunchtime crowd for St. Luke’s. Several restaurants and local individuals brought in soup for lunch and supper. Whenever the church starts to run out of food, someone steps up to provide more.
“We’ve had donations of soup from local restaurants and people, and that’s what we will serve today,” Carder said Wednesday. “We had one lady from the church who cooked batches of soup all day Tuesday for us to serve.”
Carder said the church always tries to point those in need who stay with them in the direction of community organizations that will provide assistance throughout the year.
The Rev. C.B. Baker said he is not even sure of the exact number of people that have donated items and meals to keep the center running. But Baker said he is sure of the positive feedback received by those the church has helped during this time. One man told The Sentinel-Record that without the warming center he would “probably be dead out there.”
Baker said three particular individuals have taken the initiative to clean tables after meals, run errands and bring up clothes for people who need them.
“I always chat with everyone before praying over the meal, and they’re all so grateful and so kind,” Baker said. “Quite honestly, they are a blessing to us.”