LAKEPORT, Calif. – Now having completed the first month of its homeless warming center, now in its third season in operation, the Lake County Ministerial Association offered an update this week on the services it has offered and the individuals it has helped.
The warming center is located at the Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1111 Park Way, Lakeport.
The association said that the warming center, which opened Dec. 18, has so far served 52 individuals, including one family and five minors.
The warming center, initially scheduled to open on Dec. 1, delayed its opening until it had sufficient funds available. The association said generous individuals and businesses stepped up to provide sufficient funding to open the doors and the center began operation on Dec. 18.
Fundraising is ongoing to ensure the center can provide consistent operation through March 31, the association reported.
The center is open five days a week, Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. It is limited to 24 guests per night, per the terms of a major use permit provided by the county of Lake.
Through Jan. 15, the association said its highest number of guests on any one night has been 21.
Of the 52 individuals served so far, several spend every night, others are eventually able to find permanent housing – although the critical shortage of affordable housing in the county makes that a very challenging endeavor, according to the association.
Many arrive cold, hungry, discouraged and out of plans. After a good night’s sleep, a hot shower, a nutritious dinner, and with clean clothes, the way forward, at least temporarily, becomes a little clearer, officials reported. The vast majority of the center’s guests are long-term Lake County residents.
The most unusual request for housing this season came through the LMA Facebook page:
“I am here with few resources! My five and a half month old Bombay kittens are living in my vehicle with me. Can you house us for a spell?”
Within minutes, staff responded: “We would set up a large crate and welcome the kittens and their owner.” Thankfully, there were only two kittens who, despite the reputation of Bombay cats to cry and meow more than other cats, were extremely well-behaved and quiet. Eventually, they moved north after finding temporary respite at the warming center.
The Lake County Ministerial Association is dependent on, and extremely grateful to, the many generous and hardworking volunteers that supplement the small staff. Each week night, volunteers are covering check in, intake, dinner preparation and service, showers and laundry, as well as providing carry-out bags for breakfast.
Donations may be made through the warming center’s fiscal sponsor, Kelseyville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 446, Kelseyville, CA 95453. Please write ‘Warming Center’ on the memo line.
Volunteer sign ups continue through www.SignupGenius.com.
You can reach staff through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the warming center’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/LMAwarmingcenter.
Warming center offers update on first month of operation
- Lake County News reports
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