Community leaders in Maryville are hoping to keep homeless people safe and warm this winter by converting their gym into a warming center at night.
First Baptist Church has teamed up with Family Promise, United Way, Blount County Emergency Management Agency and several others to provide shelter in the churches gym when temperatures drop to 20 or below.
"There was a group within the community who had been concerned for a long time about the growing number of homeless folks in Blount County," Bill Booth, the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church said.
Bill Booth is one of many community leaders looking for answers when it comes to homelessness.
"It is a big issue and it's a growing issue and we are seeing more and more of it. It's not only families, but men and women without a place to stay," Kathi Parkins, the Executive Director at Family Promise, said.
Last year, Family Promise counted 300 homeless people in Maryville and they said they're certain there are many more. But this winter, First Baptist hopes to change that.
"There will be cots and blankets provided. There will be personnel here to make sure that the needs are taken care of. There will be a meal provided," Bill Booth said.
Lance Coleman is the Director at Blount County Emergency Management. He has to make sure everyone knows when the temperatures are going to drastically drop.
"If the low temperature that night is 20 degrees or less, we will go ahead and open up," Coleman said.
A white flag will wave outside of the church when the temperatures get dangerously low to invite people in.
"It's very gratifying to know we can help people that can't help themselves," Coleman said.
Community leaders said Maryville has never had a shelter that offers warmth all winter long.
"We're pulling our resources and now we're able to do something amazing," Booth said.
Volunteers are still needed for those days that go below 20 degrees. If you want to help, you can contact the Chilhowee Baptist Center or the United Way office in Marville.