Our Mission Partner, the MHC Warming Center, begins its work for the colder months this week.
If you are interested in volunteering time or providing donations, please contact Mary in the Church Office or the MHC Warming Center Coordinator, Ariel Johnson.
The MHC Warming Center is partnering with Forest Hills Presbyterian Church for the 3rd year in a row to open the center and provide a safe, warm overnight stay for those experiencing homelessness when temperatures are below freezing.
The opening day will be approximately November 4, 2021, depending on the temperatures. The center will operate when temperatures are below 35 degrees, with a weekly schedule being posted each week on Saturday for the following week. The center will close for the season in March 2022, date to be decided based on weather.
Guests will have transportation options (pick-up at the Blue Ridge Regional Library in Martinsville) beginning at 6:30 pm and check-in at the center will begin at 7:00 pm. Once guests arrive, they will be provided a warm meal and personal care items as needed, along with a safe and warm place to sleep.
The center will follow all guidelines for screening for COVID-19, and have partnered with local agencies to provide care and housing options for those affected by COVID-19. Every guest will be screened prior to staying at the center, along with each volunteer being screened prior to serving at the center. Want to keep up in real time? Like/follow the MHC Warming Center Facebook page!
If you are interested in volunteering, training options are available! Join the MHC Warming Center Volunteers Facebook Group for regular updates on dates for training.
Needed Volunteers
- Intake Volunteers
- Overnight volunteers
- Laundry volunteers
- Dinner Volunteers
- Bus Drivers (our church bus is available for use)
Monetary Donations
And as many know, the center operates on donations from the community. If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may donate to the church with “MHC Warming Center” in the memo line or Give Online with the Memo “MHC Warming Center.”
Donations of Needed Items
We are also collecting food items for the warming center as well. Feel free to drop off these items at the church:
| Winter Coats | Cleaning supplies | Gift cards |
| Sweatshirts | Plastic wrap | Stir sticks |
| Flannel shirts | Paper plates/bowls/cups | Coffee |
| Gloves & hats | Napkins & Paper towels | Plasticware |
| Hand & toe warmers | Toilet Paper | Creamer |
| Sleeping bags | Dish washing liquid | Sugar |
| Small tents | Hand soap | Soft drinks |
| Warm socks | Ear thermometer tips | Non-perishable food items |
| Hand sanitizer | Non-latex gloves | |
| Flashlights/batteries | Personal hygiene supplies | |
| Headphones | Laundry bags |