Calbrina Woods and her organization, Blessing For All Empowered by Faith, Inc., set out on a week of unknowns on Sunday, Jan. 14, as severe winter weather approached.
With a forecast of freezing temperatures, along with freezing rain, sleet, and snow, Woods recognized the need for a warming center to help those in need. Her goal was to provide shelter, heat, food and a sense of community to those who were either homeless or without electricity or heat during the state of emergency.
“I don’t think it was a typical warming center,” Woods said this week. “Our guests were able to get haircuts, shower, and do laundry. We even had movie nights and a Paint and Praise activity. There were a lot of activities going on while they were with us.”
That Sunday morning was a busy one for Woods and her team of volunteers. They began setting up the Winona Community House with cots, food, and entertainment. Collecting the necessary supplies posed a challenge. Faced with shortages of food and water in local stores, her team traveled to Tupelo and other areas to gather the needed resources.
Along with volunteers, others in the community stepped in to donate meals, water, hygiene products, and supplies to prepare warming packs for the guests. Donations started arriving on Sunday afternoon and continued throughout the entire week.
The initial closing date for the warming center was set for Wednesday, Jan. 17. However, as Wednesday approached and the freezing temperatures persisted, Woods knew that she would need to keep the warming center operating throughout the rest of the week. She extended the hours until noon on Friday, Jan. 19. With the extended hours, donations were still needed, and the community continued to provide.
As Friday arrived, additional freezing weather did too. Once again, Woods had to make the decision to extend the hours of the warming center until noon on Monday, Jan. 22. A location change was made, and they moved to the National Guard Armory in Winona.
“Meals were once again provided by our generous community,” she said.
The warming center was open for over a week. That’s over a week of around the clock staffing by Woods and nine volunteers. They were able to shelter and feed 27 people throughout its operation. Woods and her team made sure to provide essential needs as well as activities for the guests during their stay. They even went to church on Sunday.
Woods and her volunteers went above and beyond in other ways as well.
“Each person at the shelter had a sponsor when they left, and their sponsor is going to follow them for up to six months and stay in contact with them weekly,” Woods explained. “Their sponsor will be there for any needs that they may have or just to talk to about direction on getting a job or finding a place to stay. We weren’t just a warming center, we changed lives.”
Woods said that Blessing For All Empowered by Faith, Inc., was blown away by the support of the community. Woods said that 80 percent of program costs were donated by people of the community.
“Every last meal was donated, along with snacks,” she added.
We want to give thanks to the following individuals and local businesses, which stepped in to donate meals, supplies, and their time to the warming center:
BFA Empowered by Faith Volunteers; Tinkerbell and Dorthey Robinson; Kim Campbell; Denise Hearn-Carver and family; Johnny and Becky Dees; Lori Wilson and family; Toccara Woods and family; Louis Merritt; Sandra Ware and family; Norman Small and wife, Rodney Hall; Annette Young-Forrest; Debra Sykes; Pastor Greg Henderson and his church family; Florence Miers; Courtney Townsend; Lawanda Hamer Duren; Cheryl Murphy McNeal; Sue Kelly; Micheal Gross, Jessica Lee; Bill and Judi Glipse; Jeanette Walker; Kimberly Purnell; DeAngelo and Lavette White; Monica Murphy; Mindy Downs; Lauree Carter; Willie Townsend; Alderman Charles Harris; Ronald White; Congressman Bennie Thompson;
WONA FM; Allen’s Fine Jewelry, Inc.; Cravens Property; Sunflower Café; 1st Choice Bail Bonding; Townes Funeral Home; Tyler Homes Hospital; MCUP; Radiant Beauty Spa Salon; White City/Legion Lake Crew; Pugh’s Bail Bonding Company; National Guard; The Winona Times; Kylan A. Georgia Memorial Scholarship Fund; Dixie Roofing; Four Wheelers Crew; Clark Beverages; Telly Mae Snowcone; Sisterhood Circle; S&K Travel; Kelvin Lee Central MS Oilers; Harris Lawn & Property; Dees Pizza; Campbell & Sons Trucking; 5C Trucking; Kizzy Ultimate Paint Party; Montgomery County EMA (Allan Pratt); Winona Fire Department; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; Grenada County Sheriff’s Department; Winona Police Department; the City of Winona and our Almighty God.
“Big or small we thank every one of them for their donations and for their time,” Woods said.
When the guests left the center, Woods said that they each received a warming pack, which included, blankets, personal hygiene supplies, three days of food, and hand warmers. All surrounding towns were also provided these packs including, Kilmichael, Vaiden, Carrollton, Duck Hill and Winona.
If you or anyone you know could benefit from these warming packs, you can contact Calbrina Woods at 662-753-1659 for information on how to receive them.
Blessings For All Empowered by Faith, Calbrina Woods, and the volunteers made a wonderful impact on this community last week and should be commended for their efforts.
Woods also mentioned that the American Red Cross is installing free 10-year smoke detectors for the residents of Montgomery and Carroll Counties.
If you are in need of smoke detectors, please contact Calbrina Woods at 662-753-1659 by Jan. 29.
