Memphis warming center moves to new location for winter season

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The city’s emergency warming center has moved to a new location this winter to better serve unhoused Memphians during extreme cold weather.

First Baptist Church in Midtown is now hosting the warming center in partnership with the Hospitality Hub. The new facility is located in church’s basement on the corner of Poplar and Parkway. Hundreds of twin-size cots are ready to welcome people during nights of extreme cold.

“We are really grateful to be able to use our space for this purpose, to love our neighbors and to show up in our community,” said Rev. Kat Kimmel, First Baptist Church senior pastor.

The Hospitality Hub, which operates the warming center, previously ran multiple locations throughout the city. The new centralized approach aims to reduce confusion for people seeking shelter.

“People would get confused on where to go, which actually left them waiting in the cold longer, so now that everyone’s in one location we eliminate that confusion,” said Jessica Houari, Hospitality Hub director.

First Baptist Church offered their fellowship hall as a warming center last year before restoring their basement to house hundreds of people during peak extreme cold periods.

People coming to the warming center receive a cot, warm blanket and sack lunch. The facility also provides opportunities for life-saving assistance.

“It gives us an opportunity to connect with them, to offer them services. And it’s every service from vital documents to health care, all the way to permanent housing,” Houari said.

The Hospitality Hub is conducting a blanket drive to help unhoused people stay warm this winter. The organization hopes to collect at least 700 blankets by December 1.

You can donate a blanket directly to the Hub through this link.

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