By Matt Packman
From food supply to clothing, hygiene products, and most recently, a warming center to protect from harsh weather conditions, The Dream Center at City Hope Church in Centralia has continued to push the bar when it comes to serving the community’s needs.
The center opened its doors Monday, Jan. 6 to those in need, standing in as a temporary warming center for the soon-to-open center of local non-profit, All Hours of Love.
Sarah Dowden of The Dream Center said the initiative was assisted by All Hours of Love and Rob Schnicker of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 653, and noted the facility housed up to six people one evening.
“We have had the warming center here since Monday [Jan. 6]. This was really a collaboration with several churches in the community,” said Dowden. “We were trying to solve the need in the community that we have, and it just went from there.”
Dowden said the warming center remained open through Wednesday night and was moved to All Hours of Love on Thursday.
Speaking on the warming center, Seth Baltzell of City Hope Church said, “We saw a need and wanted to try and help meet that need, especially while it’s so cold out. We have The Dream Center on the property and are familiar with a lot of the people that would be at risk. We have built those relationships.”
In addition to its latest use as shelter from harsh weather conditions, The Dream Center continues to be a community resource for food, clothing and hygienic supplies.
“[City Hope] started The Dream Center as a separate non-profit a few years ago,” Baltzell said. “Last year we [gave away] $25,000 pieces of clothing. Twice a month on Saturdays we do food distribution and clients can come in and shop for themselves. We wanted to build relationships and not just hand out food.”
Baltzell said The Dream Center is always seeking more volunteers and that he hopes other churches and community organizations will join the mission.
“We could use some more volunteers,” he said. “We would also really like other churches to join. This is an opportunity to build relationships. It would be nice if [The Dream Center] could continue to grow and have more staff.”
Food available at the Dream Center.
Snack foods on shelves at the Dream Center.
