Warming center faces possibility of not opening this winter

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

After two winters of serving the needs of the homeless in the Branson area with a warming center, the House of Hope may be forced to close their doors.

House of Hope is a warming center that opens during the coldest months of the year, offering a warm meal, shelter, and more to those in need in the Branson area, when outside temperatures fall below freezing.

In a Facebook post this past week, House of Hope stated, in part, “I have been advised by the City of Branson that we will not be able to operate the warming center this year above Riley’s Treasures. I have fought the city long and hard for two and a half years, spending over $25,000 to make the upstairs ‘safe’ for the unsheltered. Now, year three, I need a sprinkler system in the building, because all of the other fire and safety things that were installed are not good enough. I am feeling defeated, frustrated, sad, and a heck of a lot mad! If anyone would like to fund a sprinkler system that would be great – or know of a property outside the city limits that I could rent for three months in the winter that would be great!”

The social media post received an outpouring of support from the local community, many asking how they could help the warming center. One local resident and city leader stepped up to help in a big way.

In a Facebook post of his own, Branson Alderman Marshall Howden stated, “Picture this. It is 30 degrees outside and you have nowhere to sleep. Everything you touch is cold, from the ground you are supposed to sleep on to the breath that comes out of your own lungs. That is the situation facing many people in our Ozarks town, without a warming center. Fortunately, over the past two years, a loving family and group of volunteers have provided a warming center in the downtown area of our community. However, it has recently been brought to their attention by the local Code Enforcement team that, without an industrial sprinkler system, they won’t be able to open this winter. The family was heartbroken, but steadfast in their efforts to keep the center open. Please consider donating to the cause so that Branson, Missouri, doesn’t go one season without a warming center to help out those in need. Imagine that same scenario, but now it’s Christmas Eve, and you are staring across the street at what used to be the warming center. Please help!”

Howden set up a GoFund- Me account for donations to the House of Hope for necessary upgrades to allow them to open the Warming Center. The GoFundMe Goal is $100,000. At press time, over $4,000 had been raised. Those wishing to help House of Hope can donate through the GoFundMe account or drop off donations, earmarked for the warming center, at Riley’s Treasures, 215 Veterans Boulevard, in downtown Branson. Here is the link to the GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/f6554989