Watered Gardens provides warmth during these cold months

JOPLIN – (KOAM) – Watered Gardens Ministries in Joplin is stepping up to provide a vital resource during cold weather with the opening of a warming center. This center is available to anyone when temperatures drop to twenty degrees or lower, offering a safe and warm place for those in need.

Importantly, guests do not need to be registered with the overnight shelter, which operates every night, to access the warming center.

“Anybody can come in. And as long as they’re respectful of each other in that area, it just gives them a place to lay their sleeping bag down or their blankets and just get a good night’s rest. Hopefully, and out of the cold,” says Travis Hurley, Director of Advancement at Watered Gardens Ministries.

Watered Gardens has had the overnight shelter for over twenty years. “We’ve got forty-two beds for men upstairs and another ten beds for women downstairs and around the corner,” Hurley explains. “We also have a six-bed respite shelter for those coming out of the hospital that don’t have a home to go to, that need additional time to recover.”

Last year, Watered Gardens Ministries recorded over 29,000 overnight stays at their shelter, highlighting the significant impact of their services. The ministry’s mission centers around supporting individuals and families struggling with poverty and homelessness.

With approximately 300 volunteers currently involved, Watered Gardens Ministries continues to be a strong community effort committed to providing shelter and assistance to those in need in the Joplin area.