Sharpsburg’s Roots of Faith will serve as warming shelter

Tawnya Panizzi
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 11:52 a.m. | Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 11:52 a.m.

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Local communities are expected to get hit with wind chills that reach 20 degrees below zero this week.

Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg has opened its doors as a warming shelter today through Thursday, when wind chills are expected to dip as low as 20 degrees below zero, according to a National Weather Service advisory.

“We have coffee, tea and a warm meal if anyone needs it,” said Kathleen Stanley, director of outreach.

Hours for the makeshift warming shelter at 800 Main St. are today through 8:30 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Stanley said a few passersby have already popped in for a cup of coffee and short chat with volunteers.

“We have some regulars, so we expect that there will be people who need to come this week,” Stanley said.

Whatever the reason for the visit, Stanley wants people to “warm up or socialize, and hang out here as long as they want.”

Emergency services will be available for those who need further assistance, she said.

The Rev. Scott Shaffer, pastor of Faith United Methodist Church which facilitates Roots of Faith, is seeking volunteers to help with the outreach.

“Temperatures will be dangerously cold so anyone looking for a way to serve, we would love to have you,” he said.

For more, call Stanley at 412-977-9136.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.