Warming Shelter Opens At St. Thomas Aquinas Church

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Many around the area are seeking a way to keep warm in these freezing temperatures.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Downtown Zanesville is using their Rosary Hall as a warming shelter facility for those who need a place to sleep, stay warm, and be safe. Rosary Hall will be acting as a place of gathering where everyone can mingle and eat hot food. The Parish said they will try to help as many people as they can who approaches the shelter.

“We just make sure we give them a five star experience. We even had one say that this morning. They just felt like they were at a five star hotel. We just want to make them feel special, know that they’re loved. That they are worth something, just because they don’t have a bed or a roof, doesn’t diminish their worth,” said Outreach Coordinator for St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Candace Longstreth.

The inspiration for the warming shelter came from the Parish’s desire to do more outreach in the community. President of Homeless Hands, Tammy Clark, said she collaborated with St. Thomas Aquinas Church on the idea of using their Rosary Hall basement as the shelter.

“To see finally one of these churches step up and open their doors and help these people out is just.. we’ve been waiting for it. So it’s been really good,” said Clark.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church is still accepting volunteers for the shelter that are willing to do shifts or stay throughout the night and assist. Food and clothing donations are also accepted.