Warming center opens in Cornelia

CORNELIA, Ga. — With cold, potentially wet weather in the forecast, the Matthew 25 Alliance will open its first overnight warming center of the winter Friday, Nov. 13, offering a warm meal and a safe place to sleep for people in need.

The warming center will operate from 5 p.m. Friday until 6:30 a.m. Saturday in the gym at First Baptist Church, located at 325 Oak Street in Cornelia.

The shelter is available to anyone who is unsheltered, sleeping in their vehicle or living without heat, according to Matthew 25 Alliance organizer John Harrison.

Ten beds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those needing a place to stay may reserve a bed by calling 678-548-7853 or arriving at the corner of Fore Acre and Larkin streets at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m.

“The Matthew 25 Alliance looked at the weather forecast for this week and saw that Friday night would be cold and potentially wet,” said Harrison, pastor of Nacoochee Presbyterian Church. “We’ve got our volunteers trained and our supplies gathered, and our six partner churches have been able to mobilize enough people to get the doors open for the first night this winter.”

RELATED 5-Day Forecast

Churches working together

The opening marks the beginning of the Alliance’s winter warming center operations. The Alliance opened its first warming center at First Baptist Cornelia in February, shortly after the organization was founded.

The Matthew 25 Alliance (M25A) is a coalition of six churches in Habersham and White counties working together to provide shelter, meals and other assistance to people in need. The organization takes its name from the biblical passage in which Jesus calls on his followers to feed the hungry, welcome strangers and care for those in need. The Alliance operates resource centers in Habersham and White counties, connecting residents with assistance and community support.

In preparation for the colder months, M25A has held volunteer training sessions, including gatherings in October and November. Volunteers have been trained to help operate the overnight shelters and assist guests. Friday’s opening puts that preparation into action, providing a warm place to spend the night as temperatures fall.

Anyone needing overnight shelter Friday should call 678-548-7853 or report to the corner of Fore Acre and Larkin streets at 5 p.m. Space is limited to 10 beds.

SEE ALSO

Cold blast brings freezing temperatures, possible snow flurries to North Georgia