Warming center needs help to keep helping others

Lighthouse Home Mission

By Sarah Shurge – It’s that time of year again – Lighthouse Home Mission’s warming center is open and volunteers are needed.
Lighthouse Home Mission (LHM) was started almost 40 years ago by Pastor Ruby Beneteau in her own home. In partnership with the Full Gospel Temple Church, LHM now has a food pantry, clothing pantry, soup kitchen, and warming center.
The warming center has been open for over 20 years.
Rev. Tim Cokely has been volunteering with the warming center for about 20 years. “I understand what they’re going through. I’ve been homeless myself,” said Rev. Cokely.
LHM offers assistance for mental illness, recovery programs, domestic violence, obtaining IDs and birth certificates, employment opportunities, and more.
LHM also does referrals. This is an option for those that need assistance with something and don’t know who else to call. This can include: finding a clinic, emergency foods, utilities, gas cards, rent that is short during winter months, etc.
LHM receives food deliveries twice a week (Monday and Friday) from Gleaners Community Food Bank and Forgotten Harvest.
Appointments for food and clothing are required by phone only, Wednesday and Fridays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.. Soup kitchen is open Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Referrals are Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Warming center is open January 1st – March 31st, 7 p.m. – 8 a.m.
“Clients could leave the warming center at 8 a.m., come back for food at the soup kitchen, and then come back for the night,” said Rev. Cokely. “I’m so grateful we’re able to do that.”
LHM is in need of volunteers for the soup kitchen, clothing pantry, food pantry, and warming center.
The warming center needs volunteers for intake and food service from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m., as well as overnight supervision from 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.. Overnight supervision is crucial in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the clients while they sleep.
“We’re able to meet them at their level of need. We sit down and listen to them. We don’t just serve food, we give them a hand up, not handouts,” said Rev. Cokely.
If you’d like to help, the warming center needs the following items: winter apparel (coats, gloves, boots, socks), men’s underwear, hygienic items, cleaning supplies, coffee, canned goods, paper plates, and plastic utensils. There is a large need for men’s winter coats size XL-5XL.
“There’s an urgency for coats because we’ve lost people trying to stay warm at bus stops. We’re trying to keep them out of the elements and as warm as possible,” said Rev. Cokely.
The soup kitchen and food pantry are in need of monetary donations.
“Lots of people can’t afford food with the high prices. We’re only able to feed so many. We had to take less food orders than last year,” said Rev. Cokely.
LHM also does a yard sale twice a year (in April and September). They are in need of items to be donated, volunteers for donation pick-ups, and volunteers during the yard sale.
“There are so many different ministries, we need all hands on deck,” said Rev. Cokely. “If you’re willing to help, we’ll gladly put you to use. If you need help, we’re willing to meet you where you are.”
If you’re interested in volunteering for the warming shelter, call Rev. Tim Cokely at (734)326-3333. If you’re interested in any of the other volunteer opportunities with LHM, call (734)326-3885.
Lighthouse Home Mission and Full Gospel Temple Church is located at 34033 Palmer Rd, Westland. For more information about Full Gospel Temple Church, visit fgtonline.org
Be sure to help in any way that you can so Lighthouse Home Mission can continue helping those in need.