The La Crosse Warming Center begins its season on Sunday, Nov. 1, giving adults who are experiencing homelessness a warm indoor place to sleep as colder nights arrive. The center is run through Catholic Charities and works with the wider La Crosse community to serve guests with dignity and respect.
The center is in downtown La Crosse at 413 South Third Street. Its season runs from Nov. 1 through April 30, and it is open every night, holidays included, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Open intake runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. each night, and after 9 p.m. guests can be referred by police, hospitals or the Salvation Army. Guests can also take a shower and wash their clothes.
Center staff Lacey Hein and Johnny Wadzinski told Z93 the center has already been running at capacity, and they described the programs offered to shelter guests and what the center needs most as the new season starts. Hundreds of volunteers from area churches and the community are needed to keep the doors open through the winter.
Families and groups can help by signing up to provide a breakfast or dinner meal, and volunteers are also needed for shifts covering intake, serving meals, laundry, cleaning and check-out. Anyone who is not already a volunteer is asked to complete the center's volunteer form first. Catholic Charities is also collecting 45 pillows, pillowcases and pillow protectors by Oct. 31 so each guest has a place to rest on opening night.
Donations are being accepted as well. The center says its biggest needs include toiletries, blankets and men's warm clothing, along with meal donations, and it is also taking socks, mittens and gloves, underwear and other clothing for guests. People with items to donate can call or text Johnny at 608-769-4157 to arrange a drop-off.
