As dangerously cold temperatures linger in East Tennessee, outreach programs are opening their doors to those in need of a warm place to stay.
Blount County's First Baptist Church of Maryville will open at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 and remain open until 7 a.m. Tuesday -- saying they will be proving an evening meal and breakfast.
The church is located 202 West Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville.
First Baptist Church teamed up with Family Promise, United Way, Blount County Emergency Management Agency and several others to provide shelter in the churches gym when temperatures drop to 20 or below.
"There was a group within the community who had been concerned for a long time about the growing number of homeless folks in Blount County," Bill Booth, the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church said.
In 2017, Family Promise counted 300 homeless people in Maryville and they said they're certain there are many more. But this winter, First Baptist hopes to change that.
The Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter in Morristown set up a warming shelter for those who are homeless in Hamblen County on nights where the temperature is below 32 degrees. That shelter will be located at 733 West Main Street and will open at 10 p.m. on those nights. For more info, call (423) 587-9215.
Pathways Resource Center in Campbell County has a warming shelter from Jan. 1, 2019 to Feb. 29, 2019 at the Party Place, which is between LaFollette Middle School and DeRoyal near Eastgate Drive.
All three rely on donations to help meet the needs of those staying there to ensure they stay warm and fed.
If you can donate, contact the following:
- Hamblen Co. - (423) 587-9215,
- If you can provide hot meals -- Holly Green at (423) 592-0401
- Blount Co. - Family Promise of Blount County (865) 233-4737
- Campbell Co. - Walt Cudahy - walt9982@gmail.com