First Baptist Church in Waynesboro will provide shelter to the region’s unhoused community during the artic cold days next week.
The Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry told AFP that First Baptist has agreed to allow anyone who stays overnight at the cold-weather shelter to remain at its location during the day. The church was already serving as the overnight shelter starting on Monday and running for one week.
Due to zoning restrictions, an overflow shelter is also utilized in Waynesboro and is housed at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
WARM has fortunately not had to turn anyone away due to space restrictions, Gunn said, but has had to utilize the overflow location.
The overnight shelter runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily and rotates its location each week between churches in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.
The current forecast shows snow and ice are possible on Sunday night. Temperatures through Wednesday are not expected to get above 20 degrees with lows predicted below zero in the region.
WARM Executive Director Alec Gunn said the community has really stepped up to assist the homeless population with donations of pants, hand warmers, coats and hats.
“I would just ask that the community pray for these men and women who are unsheltered during these very cold days but also going forward,” Gunn said.
To donate or for more information, visit warmwaynesboro.org
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Search “housing insecurity” or “WARM” for additional stories on Augusta Free Press.
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Crystal Graham
