FARMINGTON — Warming Centers in Greater Franklin County have opened for the winter. The centers offer a warm respite from the cold, an opportunity to socialize and relieve cabin fever and eat a nutritious meal prepared by SeniorsPlus ($3 suggested donation) or volunteers.
Visitors will be greeted by a volunteer at the door and one at the check-in table, offered coffee and maybe even a lesson in crocheting.
The Warming Centers are a collaborative effort of Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, SeniorsPlus, Franklin Volunteer Network, United Methodist Economic Ministry and many community organizations and volunteers. The Farmington Warming Centers are in their third year of operation, and the Salem center is in its second year.
The centers are open on the following days:
Farmington
Tuesdays at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 25 and Feb. 1, 8 and 15.
Tuesdays at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Thursdays at Old South Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 13, 20 and 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 and March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
Salem
Wednesdays at the United Methodist Economic Ministry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 12, 19 and 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 and March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Centers were available in Wilton last year, and plans to open one are still being determined at this time.
The schedule is subject to change. For weather-related cancellations, listen to WKTJ-FM 99.3. Visitors who are not feeling well are encouraged to remain at home so others may stay healthy.
For information or to make a meal reservation for the Farmington centers, contact the Rev. Susan Crane at 778-2163 (leave a message with name and number of meals); or for information about the Salem center, contact Crystal Cook at 678-2611. The centers are staffed by volunteers and they are not equipped to provide formal supervision, child care or adult day care.
For information on how to start a warming center in a community, visit the United Way’s Web site at www.uwtva.org.
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