Warming center opens in Post Falls

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff writer

POST FALLS — St. Vincent de Paul has opened a warming center in Post

Falls to help those in need survive the frigid temperatures.

The center is at 202 W. Seventh St. behind the nonprofit's thrift

store on Seltice Way. It is in the basement of Kamps Apartment.

"Our mission has always been to help provide warming centers in each

community," said Jeff Conroy, St. Vincent de Paul executive director.

"Those needing warmth in the outlying areas should not be forced to

travel to Coeur d’Alene to be warm."

The center, along with St. Vincent's center at 117 E. Walnut in Coeur

d'Alene, is open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. as long as the weather falls

below 20 degrees, with or without the wind-chill factor.

The Post Falls center has enough space for 50 people comfortably. It

will have sleeping bags, blankets, gloves, stocking caps, coats, a

full bathroom, warm food and drinks.

The center in Coeur d'Alene has been full for the past week.

"Because of the need, St. Vincent de Paul is needing donations of warm

food at both locations," Conroy said.

Those interested in volunteering or donating should call Joe

Hutchinson at 699-7886.

Fresh Start and St. Luke's Episcopal Church also offer a warming

center at 1524 E. Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. It is open at 9 p.m.

and remains open overnight. It has a capacity of 64.

"Our current needs are donations of money, food, warm clothing, tents,

tarps and sleeping bags, shampoo, laundry soap, towels and other

supplies," said Howard Martinson, Fresh Start executive director. "We

also need additional volunteers to help keep the center open."

For more information on the center, call Martinson at 661-1524.