<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ib0Zi_1H2ErzIW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ib0Zi_1H2ErzIW00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>The Washington Street Warming Center opens its doors to help those who are unhoused during the cold temperatures.&nbsp; Zoe Lewis</figcaption></figure>PADUCAH — It’s getting colder, and it can be difficult for those who are unhoused. The Washington Street Warming Center in Paducah has opened its doors to help those who are in need.While other communities may not have a warming center like the one on Washington Street, they find ways to help their neighbors. The warming center in Paducah started its season on Nov. 1, and it will be open on a low-temperature basis until March 31. It has 25 beds, and it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Warming center leaders, like site director Mattie Morris, said they open its doors when the temperatures drop to 39 degrees or below. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=44EuWj_1H2ErzIW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=44EuWj_1H2ErzIW00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>The Washington Street Warming Center has 25 beds, and its leaders and volunteers rarely turn anyone away.&nbsp; Zoe Lewis</figcaption></figure>“We offer them a meal, a hot shower and a safe place to sleep for the night. Then, in the morning, we do offer them breakfast," Morris said. "We just try to help the community.”The first time the temperatures were below 40 degrees was on Friday, Nov. 7. Morris said they only had seven people at the warming center, but as it gets colder, their beds will fill up more. “It’s very important because we want to serve our community, and we try to do the best of our ability to provide a shelter for the unhoused," Morris said. "It means a lot to us as individuals, and as a ministry here at Washington Street, to be able to provide these services.”The warming center opens its doors at 4:30 p.m. and will accept people until 10 p.m. The center does not accept pets and only accepts a few items, including a cell phone and charger, cigarettes and lighter, change of clothes, glasses, headphones, reading material and prescribed medication. Other items will be stored in the center's storage until 6:30 a.m. the next morning. Morris said since the center operates on a first-come, first-served basis, they have to turn people away at times. “We try to find other ways to get them a place to sleep that night. Sometimes it’s hard to do that because everything is based upon donations that we receive from the community,” Morris said. As center leaders start their season, Morris said they need the community’s help to efficiently serve those in need. “We need volunteers that are kind, loving, encouraging and feel that this is a ministry that they would like to participate in,” Morris said. “We need donations — monetary donations, clothing, food, things like snacks, because we do cook a meal for them every day,” Morris said. For a specific list of items the warming center needs, visit the Washington Street Warming Center’s Facebook page or read this article. Donations can be dropped off at Washington Street Baptist Church. Those interested in volunteering should visit the church to receive an informational packet. They can go anytime Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Washington Street Warming Center is one of the few consistently operating warming centers in western Kentucky. Rural communities, like those in Livingston County, don’t have a warming center, but Judge Executive Michael Williams said there’s rarely a need for one. “Luckily, we’re a pretty rural county, and a lot of neighbors help neighbors,” Williams said. Williams said the county in need of a warming center sometimes when the power goes out, but they have a list of people and organizations ready to step up and help those in need. “We do have a few churches that’ll open up to house those people in need, and then we have a couple of community centers that we can house them in for however long is needed,” Williams said. He said if someone needs shelter, to call Livingston County dispatch, and they will try to find the appropriate services.</div></body>

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PADUCAH — It’s getting colder, and it can be difficult for those who are unhoused. The Washington Street Warming Center in Paducah has opened its doors to help those who are in need. While other communities may not have a warming center like the one on Washington Street,...

Communities share how they utilize warming centers during the winter

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PADUCAH — It’s getting colder, and it can be difficult for those who are unhoused. The Washington Street Warming Center in Paducah has opened its doors to 

Communities share how they utilize warming centers during the winter

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