What is the McMinn Warming Center?
McMinn Warming Center is a safe, warm place to sleep for our neighbors in need during the winter months. Guests of the warming center will receive a warm meal, fellowship, and a place to sleep in peace.
FAQs
When are you open?
The McMinn Warming Center is open overnight from 6 pm until 7 am the following morning on any night in December, January, or February when the projected temperature forecast for the night is 32 degrees or below. Warming Center staff will post when the center is open on this page along with our Facebook page. The link to our Facebook page can be found at the bottom of this website.
Who can stay?
The Warming Center is open to any individual who needs a warm meal or a place to sleep out of the harsh winter weather. All are welcome.
How can I get involved?
Volunteers with the warming center come from all walks of life and are all blessed with their own unique skill sets. If you’d like to volunteer in person at the warming center, you can sign up to do so on the “Volunteer With Us” page by clicking on the date and position you’d like to volunteer for. If you prefer fundraising, organizational, or behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities, please reach out to our Coordinator through the “Contact Us” page of this website and we will be happy to reach out to discuss those opportunities with you.
Where is the warming center?
The 2025-2026 McMinn Warming Center will be located at the Cook Ministries building located at 714 Walter Street, Athens, Tennessee.
What services does the warming center provide?
Each evening will begin with a warm meal, followed by fellowship and community interaction. The warming center provides clean cots, bedding, and pillows to each guest for the night. A simple, continental-style breakfast will be provided before closing in the morning. Volunteers will have available to guests a list of community resources to assist with other needs. That list can also be found on this website under the “Community Resources” tab.
How can I donate money or supplies?
Monetary donations can be made through Keith Memorial United Methodist Church by directing the donation to the Warming Center.
Online donations cane be made here. Please select “general fund” from the designation drop-down menu and then note “warming Center” in the memo line below your payment information.
Supplies - including food, drinks, serving supplies, sturdy winter clothing such as thermal underwear, coats, boots, hats, gloves, etc. are always appreciated, however our needs are specific and we do not accept general clothing donations due to space restraints. Please consider giving those to another organization. If you are interested in making this type of donation, please contact Athens Christian Church at 423-333-5085 or our staff at mcminnwarming@gmail.com to make arrangements.
Contact us
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