Faith-based groups continue aid through freezing temps

Fabrics of all kinds — new, old, small, large, torn or worn — come in heaps through doors in downtown Kingsport. Volunteers sort through it all to find what people who are trying to survive this winter's freezing temperatures can use. While the winter season brings extreme temperatures to the region, faith-based organizations continue outreach for those in need of food, a place to get warm or clothes to keep warm. Many gather at Shades of Grace United Methodist Congregation. "When we started the ministry, God was just really, I mean, I knew the spirit was saying 'Trust me,'" said Will Shewey, Shades of Grace pastor. "You know, just trust God. God's doing it. We just have to be the willing hands." Willing hands have been at work as temperatures sat at or dipped below freezing this week, and will continue as snow is forecast for the region this weekend. Shades of Grace has handed out an average of 115 meals a day this winter. They serve meals Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. On freezing days, such as this week, they start handing out meals 30 minutes earlier. People can also shower on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Shewey said hot meals, clothing and hot showers at Shades of Grace are made possible through the help of other churches in the area. "Maybe 50% of the time we are responsible for preparing and serving the meals, and the other 50% of the time or more, other churches do it for us," said Shewey. "So it's a partnership." While it doesn't provide overnight sheltering services, people are welcome in to stay warm for three to four hours while a constable is present. The congregation works closely with pastor Jeffrey Kiser, who oversees Shepherd's Watch Ministries. Kiser drives two warming buses filled with air mattresses around Kingsport, picking people up who need shelter on cold nights and taking them back to his property located at 2820 John B. Dennis Highway. Buses will continue operating throughout the weekend, and four-wheel drive vehicles will be used to transport people to shelter on the heated buses if snowfall conditions become severe. In the mornings, anyone taking shelter on the bus is taken to The Table of Kingsport, Shades of Grace, Salvation Army or other organizations that Shepherd's Watch Ministries works with. Kiser said about 10 officers with the Kingsport Police Department called last week about people in the city in need of shelter. "There's a lot of community support," said Kiser. "People bring us food, people bring us blankets, pillows, the things we need. God's been awful good to us. He's provided for us." Shades of Grace financially supports Kiser's operation with about $1,000 a month, and tries to connect people to him who may need his services. "He circles our church every hour. He goes to all the back streets, everywhere downtown, gives everybody his number," Shewey said. "We leave his number posted in our front window, so that if you're cold, call this number and wait right here and he'll be there to pick you up." Food pantries and other hot meals are also available between churches across Kingsport. "All of what we do is kind of designed to fill gaps that weren't filled otherwise, and work in concert with other ministries that are existing with our community," said Daniel Howe, missions director at First Broad Street United Methodist Congregation. FBS UMC financially supports The Table of Kingsport, a nonprofit that serves meals and has opened its doors as a warming shelter this winter. FBS UMC is also at capacity in its service helping almost 38 families warm their homes through firewood donations throughout the winter, a service that has grown throughout the last few years, Howe said. First Presbyterian Church hosts a grab-and-go meal and warming hour from 7 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Shades of Grace will continue distributing donated coats, blankets, socks and "whatever we need to do to help people," said Shewey, who described the services as "ecumenical in every aspect." "Whatever God gives us, we make do with it, and we have never run out of anything." Jorgelina Manna-Rea is a Report for America corps member reporting on environmental issues for Six Rivers Media.