Date of release: November 16, 2021
Washington Street Baptist Church is hosting a walk-up warming center this cold season. This safe, warm place to stay the night is a collaborative effort of several community partners. The church will house any person on nights when WPSD-Local 6 forecasts the low temperature to be 40° or below. The church encourages those who stay at the center to bring a photo ID for registration, but it is not required. No pets are allowed.
Washington Street Baptist Church Pastor and City Commissioner Raynarldo Henderson said, "We are proud to have the opportunity to make this kind of impact on our community. We believe this is what the Church is supposed to do."
Season: November 2021 – March 2022
Location: Washington Street Baptist Church (WSBC), 739 Washington Street. This is the building next to the main church building.
Arrival Hours: Walk up between 5:30 and 10 p.m., first come basis (20 person capacity)
Departure Hours: Leave between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m.
Warming Center Guidelines and Intake Process
Thank You to Community Partners The United Way of Paducah-McCracken County, including its Americorps VISTA worker sponsored by Mercy Health, Healthy Paducah, Housing Authority of Paducah, and STAY at Paducah Public Schools worked together to identify and recruit a host site and offer support services for this season. Community Kitchen, Heartland Church, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, and First Baptist Church contributed financially to offset start-up, operational costs. With this collaborative foundation, Washington Street Baptist Church leadership voted to host this season’s warming center.
Here's How You Can Help The warming center depends upon volunteers and donations to run safely. If you can help, create a free profile with the United Way's platform, Volunteer Paducah. The warming center needs are listed by searching for Washington Street Baptist Church on that site or by using this quick link.
