Since its first activation on Nov. 30, the warming shelter at Immanuel United Church of Christ has been activated a total of 18 times and with more opening over the next several weeks the organization is looking for more volunteers.

According to Emergency Warming Response Site Director Kim Purl, the Immanuel location has seen as few as five and as many as 20 people come into the warming shelter on activation nights, where the temperature is 20 degrees or below. She said the 20 was during the week after Christmas. She noted that in December the numbers at Immanuel were higher as there were no churches in St. Charles County available to serve as warming shelters. She said some of those who came to Immanuel received rides into the facility from St. Charles County. She said during December, in addition to Immanuel the Lincoln County Health Department also served as a warming center site.

Purl said over the past weekend, due to the winter storm, the Emergency Response Network activated hotels at a cost of $3,000 per night for the safety of the clients and volunteers.

Purl said when the warming center at Immanuel is activated it runs from 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. As early morning hours are often the coldest part of the day, she said Immanuel has a partnership with Anchor House of Warren County to provide additional services for those in need.

“It has worked out beautifully so far,” Purl said of the partnership with Anchor House.

Purl said Immanuel has also partnered with the Wright City Community Food Pantry managed by her husband Joe Purl.

“They had a number of hams and turkeys left over that we were able to provide to people,” Purl said.

Purl said that as January and February are the busiest months for the warming center they are still seeking volunteers and donations for the facility. Purl said currently she has 16 volunteers, and that each night they need three volunteers to work either the entire night from 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. or who can work in split shifts from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. and from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. She said they would like a few additional volunteers so that the current volunteers will not have to work multiple nights at the church. She said the church also has six laundry volunteers that help with washing garments from those who stay at the shelter. She noted that additional volunteers could help there as well.

With respect to items, Purl said the church can use more hand warmers, jackets, coats, scarves and hats. For kids, Purl recommended reaching out to local schools to facilitate providing items to help keep students warm.

Purl said that now the St. Charles churches have come online, Immanuel serves more in a backup or overflow capacity, so their nightly numbers are down. She said they may see between one and five people come in to utilize the shelter’s services, but the numbers do fluctuate based upon need.

Purl said the warming shelter will remain on activation status until March 14. The criteria for activation is the temperature reaching 20 degrees or below.

Those interested in volunteering or providing items to the warming center may contact Purl at 636-295-8597.