WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — As winter approached, the City of Warner Robins received some news that threw a wrench in the city's efforts to keep the homeless warm this winter.
The Table, a church that previously served as a warming center for the city's homeless, told city officials in early November that they weren't able to open their doors for the homeless again this year.
That, coupled with Warner Robins' first city-owned homeless shelter not opening in time for winter, sent city officials scrambling as they looked to find a partner to keep the city's homeless population safe from the cold.
On Monday, the City of Warner Robins said that they managed to find that new partner in No Limit Baptist Church, which will open its doors to shelter the city's homeless during winter's "frigid nights."
In a press release from the city, they say No Limit Baptist Church will provide shelter for the homeless when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, which is when the National Coalition for the Homeless says life-threatening hyperthermia can set in.
The church's pastor, Vince Harrington, said in the release that it fits into the church's "Food in the Valley Ministry."
"In times of bitter cold, our duty as a community is to extend our hands to those less fortunate," Harrington said. "The 'Food in the Valley Ministry' is not just about providing warmth; it's about showing compassion and ensuring that everyone has a safe place to escape the harsh elements."
The shelter will be located at 1352 Radio Loop in Warner Robins and it will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. They will start on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29.
Mayor LaRhonda Patrick expressed her gratitude to the church's pastor and their congregation for their "unwavering commitment" to helping Warner Robins' homeless population.
"Through our Homeless Initiative, this partnership exemplifies the strength and compassion within Warner Robins as we come together to support those in need," Patrick said in the press release.
But in November, things looked a little more dicey for Warner Robin's homeless population.
The city has previously told 13WMAZ that it hoped to have the new city-owned homeless shelter open by the winter but, when winter came, the city was still working on designs for the renovation.
Then, they still needed to put the project up for a bidding process to get a company to do the renovations.
The city pointed to their partnership with the Table, which they hoped would fill the need as they continued to work on getting the city-owned shelter open.
That option, however, did not go as planned.
The Table sent 13WMAZ a statement in early November, which read: "Unfortunately, The Table Church is unable to continue their involvement in the upcoming cold season."
They said they hope to continue to partner with the city on efforts to help Warner Robins' homeless population, but they could not provide their spaces as a homeless center.
But now, this partnership offers a solution to a problem that, previously, risked leaving Warner Robins' homeless population in for a cold — and dangerous — winter.
"We are honored to stand alongside the City of Warner Robins in this initiative and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the homeless," Harrington said.
However, the city is also asking for the public's help in supporting the city's homeless initiative. They are asking for donations to help keep homeless people safe this winter.
They say you can donate bedding, hot meals, non-perishable food items, paper products and hygiene products for care packages.
Additionally, they accept monetary donations, too. You can text the word GIVE to 833-979-3054 with how much you'd like to donate followed by the word homeless (Example: Give $15 Homeless) to help support the city's efforts.