Area warming centers see a critical need for volunteers and donations in the winter

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Warming centers across the region are gearing up to open as snow and colder temperatures move through the area.

Warming centers saying they see a critical need for volunteers when temperatures drop.

Tara Lang is on the advisory board for the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau. She says they are open as an overnight warming center for men.

They are open 7 pm-7 am with doors locking at 10 pm. All adult men aged 18 and older are welcome to come get warm.

Women who need help are welcome to call the facility for other resource’s that can help them.

Lang says volunteers are desperately needed when temperatures drop. 

“We always need volunteers. Whether that’s during the day for cooking but especially now with the warming center it’s such a hard thing to get because people, they have jobs and so we have set the shifts a little bit shorter. Where their two hours instead of someone coming in all night long to kind of help accommodate that.” 

Lang says they accept donations as well. Snacks, microwave meals, blankets and pillows are all needed.

Mari Ann Moyers is the Director of Spread Hope Now, a warming shelter in Sikeston. They’re facility accepts both men and women and is currently open overnight from 6 pm through 8 am. They also strongly depend on volunteers. 

“We can always use volunteers if someone would like to come and help with hospitality and just help people get their laundry finished and help with supplies, they may need like more warm clothing or toiletries they’re welcome to help with that” says Moyers.

Lang says being a volunteer allows them to open and keep someone warm through the coldest nights of the year. 

“Reaching out and doing those things we are helping our neighbors” says Lang “and those people around us and it might literally be your neighbor, and you not even understand or know that they don’t have heat in their home.”

To find a warming center near you use our warming shelters link Warming Shelters – KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News.

To volunteer for the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau Salvation Army Warming Center Team: Warming Center Winter 2025.

The Salvation Army also needs a volunteer to plow their driveway so workers and other volunteers can get in and out safely.

If interested, you can call 573-335-7000.

To volunteer or donate items to Spread Hope Now in Sikeston you can message their Facebook page (2) Facebook.

Donation list for things needed at the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau

Frozen Food – stored in the Kitchen Walk-in Freezer in a cardboard box labeled for
Warming Center
● Pot Pies
● Hot Pockets
● Frozen Micro meals
● Breakfast Sandwiches
● Waffles
● Pancakes
● Individual Frozen Pizza
Pre-Packaged Shelf Stable Items labeled for Warming Center (should we keep these in
the room with microwave and coffee?
● Fruit and Cereal Bars
● Muffins
● Oats in a cup
● Soup in a cup
● Pre-packaged micro meals
● Beanie Weenee’s or other pop-top items
● Lunch to-go items
● Individually packaged nuts, snacks, and chips
Essentials
● Socks
● Tampons / pads
● Deodorant
● Toothbrush
● Chap stick
● Sample size toothpaste
● Sample size Sunscreen. shampoo & lotion
Bottled Water
Gatorade
Plastic Silverware, plates, bowls and napkin