Volunteers sought for warming center

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Volunteers including kitchen helpers are being sought to help get the Roseburg Warming Center back on its feet after returning this week to a Winchester Avenue location.

Volunteers are needed for all shifts so the center can reopen Saturday night, March 4, through Thursday morning, March 9, at 406 NE Winchester Ave. In addition, a shuttle driven by Roseburg Senior Center volunteer Tommy Smith will make one circuit around town each night starting a half-hour earlier at 5 p.m. and return people to the same locations each morning, said Onward Roseburg Executive Director Kimetha Stallings, who operates the warming center.

Kitchen volunteers will work only at the Roseburg Senior Center, 1614 SE Stephens St. Kitchen helpers will be needed to start at 4 p.m. or 4 a.m. and then be expected to continue helping until hot dinners and breakfasts are delivered to the warming center and the kitchen is cleaned. Kitchen helpers will not spend any remaining time of their volunteer shifts at the warming center, located at the corner of Winchester Avenue and Rowe Street, Stallings said.

The warming center is being moved after an early Tuesday morning disturbance at the senior center. Stallings has arranged to use the Winchester Avenue building, which is owned by Adapt, as a temporary overnight shelter as needed for the rest of the winter season under conditions outlined in the City’s Severe Event Shelter Policy. The building is the same one used last winter when the warming center first opened. Warming center hours will remain 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

All volunteers can now sign up again at signupgenius.com: https://bit.ly/3EuO5nX.

Warming center volunteers are needed for: evening shift, 6 to 11 p.m..; overnight shift, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.; and breakfast shift, 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. Please note: Kitchen helpers are asked to sign up for the shift that most closely matches when they can help in the kitchen, and then use the comment box on signupgenius.com to explain if they want to volunteer at the kitchen.

Volunteers led by Stallings are washing, repairing and moving supplies that were being used at the senior center. Donations that are being sought now include new socks, women's and men’s pants, hoodies, coats, sleeping bags and handwarmers.

Anyone needing help to cope with the early Tuesday incident can visit Adapt, 621 W. Madrone St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call the 24-hour crisis line at 800-866-9780.

The Roseburg Rescue Mission offers overnight shelter at 752 SE Pine St. all year.