FARMINGTON – With temperatures dipping below freezing and the long months of winter stretching before us, we celebrate the opening of Warming Centers in Greater Franklin County again this January. The Warming Centers offer a warm respite from the cold, an opportunity to socialize and relieve cabin fever, and eat a nutritious meal prepared by SeniorsPlus ($3 suggested donation), or generous volunteers. Visitors will be greeted by a friendly volunteer at the door and one at the check-in table, offered coffee and maybe even a lesson in crocheting!
The Warming Centers are a collaborative effort of Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, SeniorsPlus, Franklin Volunteer Network, United Methodist Economic Ministry, and many community organizations and volunteers. The Farmington Warming Centers are in their third year of operation, and the Salem Warming Center is in its second year.
The Warming Centers are open on the following days:
FARMINGTON:
- Tuesdays at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church on January 4, 11, 18, 25; and February 1, 8, and 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on February 22; and March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Thursdays at Old South Church on January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24; and March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
SALEM:
- Wednesdays at the United Methodist Economic Ministry on January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Warming Centers were available in Wilton last year, and plans to open a Warming Center in Wilton are still being determined at this time.
This schedule is subject to change. For weather-related cancellations, listen to WKTJ-FM 99.3. Visitors who are not feeling well are encouraged to remain at home so others may stay healthy. For information, or to make a meal reservation for the Farmington Centers, please contact Rev. Susan Crane at 778-2163 (leave a message with your name and number of meals if you are requesting a meal and get an answering machine); or for information about the Warming Center in Salem, contact Crystal Cook at 678-2611. Please note, the Centers are staffed entirely by volunteers and they are not equipped to provide formal supervision, childcare or adult day care.
For information on how to start a Warming Center in your community, visit the United Way’s website at www.uwtva.org.
