Hot weather last week meant the Cooling Center in Bedford was getting some use, providing a cool spot for people to spend the day. The center was serving an average of 40 people a day in the last week of June, when temperatures were in the upper 90s. The center offers free cold bottled water to anyone.
In the winter, the space at 1414 H St. is the Men’s Warming Shelter. The shelter provides breakfast, lunch and dinner for free thanks to volunteers, most who are members of area churches. Volunteers are always needed to help with dinner.
On Friday, June 27, Bedford Sherwood Oaks Christian Church provided food for dinner. The The church also provided dinner at the center that Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bedford Men’s Warming Shelter Executive Director Heather Flynn said the center is hoping for donations of fans. Donations of bottled water, Gatorade, popsicles and lunch items (for sack lunches) would also be appreciated. Paper plates, plastic flatware and napkins are also needed.
“Bedford is such a giving community, When we have a need, people always fill it,” Flynn said. The latest information about the Cooling Center can be found on the center’s Facebook page.
The Cooling Center’s website is www.bedfordmenswarmingshelter.org. For those who would like to donate, they can check out the website, or stop by the center at 1414 H St.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Beating the heat: Bedford Cooling Center provides cool place for anyone who needs it
Reporting by The Times-Mail / The Times-Mail
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