COPPERAS COVE, Texas — As temperatures in Central Texas will be near or below freezing for the next few days, warming centers are working hard to ensure unhoused people and people in the community have access to shelter and a hot meal.
For Impact Church in Temple, they help over 60 people each day. Church director of operations Bill Scofield told 6 News those numbers have drastically increased since the cold weather hit last week.
"They'll die if we don't help," Scofield explained. "It's cold enough to kill you and this is very important. I think every church in town should do it."
Scofield went on to say they plan to keep the shelter open until temperatures get warmer and will be open 24/7. He says the church is accepting monetary donations to continue purchasing needed food to keep the warming center going.
Over in Copperas Cove, the Fairview Community Church has a soup kitchen and warming shelter open for the community. Church cook Nancy Bachie is in charge of cooking hot meals at the church like chili and red beans and rice.
"We're opening for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and keeping the rooms warm," Bachie explained. "We're feeding them good complete meals so they have nutrition."
The church helps over 120 people each day and people come in and out to grab a quick meal or stay warm.
Bachie went on to say the work they do isn't just about food for the body, but food for the soul.
"It's really important to me, always say this is my mission, is not just a feed their bodies but feed their souls also," Bachie added.
For a full list of warming centers in Central Texas, here is a link.