Warming Center

About the Paducah Warming Centerwarming center donation flier

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 community partners. The church will house any person on nights when the low temperature is 40° or below at 739 Washington Street, a property next door to the main building.  The church encourages those who stay at the center to bring a photo ID for registration, but it is not required.  Note:  Washington Street Baptist Church’s office (270-442-8033) is open Monday-Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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
Departure Hours:  Leave between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m.

Process and Regulations

  1. WSBC will use WPSD’s weather forecast to determine if the low temperature is 40° or below.  The United Way of Paducah-McCracken County intends to share an image on its Facebook page whenever the center is open for the night.
  2. A potential guest needs only to report to Washington Street Baptist Church’s building, next to the main church, at 739 Washington Street between 5:30 and 10 p.m. to stay in the shelter.  This is a walk-up service.  
  3. Anyone is eligible to stay provided they do not have weapons and are not intoxicated.  This includes unaccompanied youth, married/unmarried couples, and single adults with or without children.  First come, first serve as capacity is limited to 20.
  4. Pets are not permitted.  
  5. Wild Health will rapid test for COVID-19.  Those who test positive will not be able to stay at the center since there is no capacity for isolation. 
  6. A photo identification is requested, or a warming center guest may bring any bill or official document.  However, no identification is required.
  7. If no identification is provided, WSBC will take a picture of the guest for record.
  8. A volunteer will lead the guest through an online registration and warming shelter agreements.
  9. Those with outstanding warrants will be referred to law enforcement.
  10. Those on the sex offender registry may be sheltered only if there are no minors in the warming center that night.
  11. The church plans to provide dinner and breakfast, depending on donations and volunteers. 
  12. Each guest will have a cot with fresh linens.  Shower facilities are available.
  13. Doors lock at 10 p.m.  Guests are able to leave between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. 

Need for Volunteers and Donations

The warming center depends upon volunteers to run safely.  Many items are also needed including food, hygiene items, and toiletries. Operating the center will increase the church’s utility and security costs.  If you can help with the efforts, 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.

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.

tesWarming Center Community Partners