MOSES LAKE — The Homeless Task Force of Grant County will be re-opening its Moses Lake warming center in early December.

The warming center, located in the former Boys and Girls Club building at 410 W. Third Avenue, is set to open on Dec. 1. The center will be opening seven days a week from 8 am. to 6 a.m. for people to come to and warm up, maybe get a hot drink and some chow, then be on their way.

“The goal of the Warming Center is to provide a welcoming space for the homeless in our community to keep warm and receive a warm meal during the cold winter nights of December, January and February,” stated Homeless Task Force Chair Shelia Chilson. “In addition, the Homeless Task Force hopes to connect individuals with services, build relationships and potentially help change an individual’s life.”

The warming center first opened up last winter for a trial run for seven weeks in December, January and February. The center served 166 people during the time period.

“The warming center is operated by local volunteers; this is the main reason services are available for only three months. The center is a short-term solution to the increasing issue of homelessness in the county; during 2017 the Homeless Task Force will begin developing a long-term strategy,” Chilson explained.

The task force is holding an informational meeting on the warming center today at 6:30 p.m. in the center’s East Third Avenue building. For more information on the meeting contact Chilson at 509-771-2361 or email schilson@mlchc.org.

In addition to the warming center opening up, the task force's “Sleep on the Street” fundraising event is scheduled for Dec. 1 as well. Last year former Moses Lake Police Department Chief Dave Ruffin, Moses Lake School District Executive Director Dave Balcom, Serve Moses Lake Director Tim Cloyd and Sendero Life Center Pastor Mike Alvarado spent a night sleeping outside in a box to raise awareness about homelessness in the area and to raise funds to help support the warming center.

This year current MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, Cloyd, Balcom and Moses Lake Presbyterian Church Youth Pastor Matt Janosov have volunteered to participate in the event, which will be held in the Penhallurick’s True Value parking lot from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.