Church to offer warmth for needy
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on November 9, 2015 1:46 PM
As the cold winter weather approaches, there will be people in Wayne County who can't afford to heat their homes, as well as those who are homeless and will be out in the cold day and night.
To help these people stay warm, members of First Baptist Church are holding their fifth annual Warm the World event Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. at the church.
It was originally the vision of church member Scottie Percise.
"She thought of it as a need for the homeless," said Sherry Archibald, who helps with the event each year. "After two years, she realized that there were so many who had a roof over their head, but not sufficient heat or the articles they need to keep them warm. Families were coming, mom and dad and three kids or mom and five kids."
The event has grown over the years, with more than 500 people at last year's Warm the World.
"The first year we did it, we had like 10 people and we had to go drag them in off the streets," said Martha Bryan, who also helps with the event.
"We're trying to do warm stuff for the cold weather, sleeping bags, coats, hats, gloves, socks, sweaters, that type of things"
Sleeping bags and blankets are the first things to go.
Most of the items are donated by not only church members, but people in the community. With monetary donations, the church is also able to go out and purchase some of the items.
"For example, when our pastor's mom passed away -- and she had such a love for this event -- a donation was made in her name for this particular cause," Mrs. Archibald said.
"Our whole gym is full of stuff," Ms. Bryan said. "It's amazing. We'll start the Wednesday before setting up. We cancel our prayer meeting that night and everybody goes in there and helps get it organized. From then until Saturday morning, everyone's in there working."
Ms. Bryan said the event is a churchwide effort. Even the older members who can't do a lot of the preparation are still there the day of the event to sit and talk with the people who come in.
But items to keep them warm are not all that people going to Warm the World receive.
"When they first get here, they come in and eat breakfast," Ms. Bryan said. "We have breakfast casseroles, grits and biscuits.
"Our church members make the casseroles the night before, then bake them that morning. Last year we did 22 casseroles, in pans bigger than regular pans, the big ones that churches use."
Once people have finished breakfast, they are escorted to the gym where the clothes and other items are and they pick out what they need.
Those attending can drop their children off at a children's area where adults and teenagers will do various activities with them and read stories to them.
Penny Jordan is the church's children's ministries director and the children she meets with each Wednesday night will be helping with this year's Warm the World event.
"They're going to write cards and we'll make bags for the children who come to Warm the World," she said. "The bags will include tissue, granola bars, fruit rollups, a toothbrush, a pack of stickers and a card. We'll share that with the children who are dropped off in the children's area.
"While the parents are shopping, for those who choose to leave their child in the children's area with us, we'll have a Bible story and a craft. We'll let them read our books that we have. We'll spend time with them and play some games."
Ms. Jordan said it's an opportunity for the church's younger children, as young as 4, to help with Warm the World. It's the first time the younger ones have helped.
In addition to items to keep them warm and a hot breakfast, those going to Warm the World will also receive reading glasses if they need them and resources for jobs, school, housing and much more.
Ms. Bryan said the event has become so popular that people are now lined up outside and around the church as early as 6 p.m., although the doors don't open until 8 a.m.
Anyone wanting to donate items or money for Warm the World can drop it off at the church at the corner of John and Chestnut streets or you can call the church to come and pick up items if you have a lot. The church number is 919-735-2516.