Although donors recently fulfilled all items on the Emergency Warming Center’s online wish list, a new website is accepting financial donations and meal donations are being scheduled.
A Givebutter account has been created for financial gifts. Givebutter provides fundraising tools for national nonprofits such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, United Way and Special Olympics. Donations can be made at givebutter.com/Tek2d2.
Organizers say the warming center’s needs are constantly changing. Financial donations support toiletries, bedding, meals, facility costs, transportation, clothing and other expenses as needed.
The warming center moved recently to LifeSpring Church’s South Campus, 501 S. Seventh St., Richmond.
The grassroots effort is a collaboration of residents, businesses, churches and charities that combine providing free shelter to individuals and families when temperatures are 25 degrees or lower.
A few churches, sororities and organizations recently provided hot dinners and/or breakfasts.
Organizers ask those interested in donating meals to email EWCRichmondIN@gmail.com or message the warming center’s Facebook page to schedule those deliveries in advance. They have little food storage space and don’t want to waste any.
Volunteers staff the shelter in four-hour shifts from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tasks include serving meals, setting up sleeping spaces, sorting donations, monitoring through the night and answering questions.
Transportation pickup points include Morrisson-Reeves Library/Elstro Plaza in the first block of North Sixth and the 1700 block of East Main near McDonald’s around 5:30 p.m. when the center is open. Special pickups may be arranged as resources allow by calling 765-313-9670.
Many late-night volunteers bring work, books or quiet entertainment while guests sleep. A two-hour crew helps until closing at 8 a.m.
Prospective volunteers are asked to share a few details about themselves at wwn.to/ewsvol2.
The warming center’s Amazon.com wish list link has been taken down for the time being.
Guest shares his thanks
Earlier this month, Edward stayed at the Emergency Warming Center in Richmond and wrote a note to volunteers to express his gratitude.
Edward said he’d been down on his luck for the last few months and the friendly advice, food and clothes came when he needed them most.
“… It is so very heartwarming and touches my very soul and makes me want to also help everyone I can,” he wrote. That generosity confirms a saying he recalls from his grandmother, “You can’t erase the fingerprints from the lives you’ve touched.”
A version of this article appeared in the January 29 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.