By Emma Loura/The Mercury
Manhattan’s only available refuge for people needing warm shelter during last week’s severe winter storm was a volunteer-run shelter, and one local pastor is urging county officials to be more prepared in the future.
During last week’s snow storm, the only refuge in town available for those without a place to stay was a volunteer-run shelter. The warming center, run by Center of Hope Ministries, is located at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Rev. Caela Simmons Wood, pastor at First Congregational, said this isn’t just to help people who are homeless but also those who don’t have adequate heating in their homes.
At Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting, Wood urged county officials to prepare more warming shelters for future weather emergencies.
