MOSES LAKE — The Warming Center in Moses Lake isn’t scheduled to open until December, but there are still a number of needs to be met and Warming Center officials are asking the public for help.

The Warming Center, which will now be located in the old Ace Hardware annex building at 938 W. Broadway Ave., has been operated by the Homeless Taskforce of Grant County the last three winters in Moses Lake. The overall goal of the center is to provide a warm place for homeless people to come to off of the streets, relax, enjoy a hot meal and be on their way.

“A warming center is not a shelter. Providing a shelter in our community is a significant investment of resources and human capital,” Warming Center Director Shelia Chilson explained.

A homeless shelter would require a fire sprinkler system, kitchen, restroom and shower facilities. The idea of the Warming Center is to provide a needed service to the local homeless population and to gather information that will be instrumental in the long-term planning/strategy “for serving the homeless in our communities.”

The Warming Center is operated by a number of staff and volunteers. The goal for this year is to hire staff to operate the center while relying on volunteers and churches. Chilson stated the Homeless Taskforce needs to raise $17,000 for each month the Warming Center in open to cover expenses like rent, utilities and staffing. Any leftover funds will be dedicated to future Warming Center Operations, but Chilson says funds are still needed for January, February and March expenses.

“A local business leader had generously committed to providing $5,000 in matching funds to support the Warming Center. Please consider making a donation in the month of October so that your donation will be matched by the generosity of this anonymous donor! When you donate and forward funds to the Columbia Basin Foundation you will receive a tax deductible receipt,” Chilson explained.

Donations can be made by visiting www.columbiabasinfoundation.org and clicking on the donate button.

The Warming Center will be open Dec. 1 and will run seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Organizers say they are in need of men's heavy coats, men’s heavy winter outerwear, men's winter gloves, hats and scarves, men's boots (size 9-13), new adult socks and pre-assembled hygiene kits. Donations can be dropped off at Serve Moses Lake, 422 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake.

For more information about the Warming Center contact Shelia Chilson 509-771-2361.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.