Church of Helping Hands & Caring Hearts 1212 W South St, Benton Arkansas.
It used to be an amusement center, but now it’s a life saver. The former skating rink at 1212 W. South Street in Benton is now the Church of Helping Hands and Caring Hearts, and they have opened their facility as a warming center for the homeless.
Church partner Bonnie Johnson also operates Helping Hands second-hand store, four blocks up the street. She said they are bringing items from the store to help out, but the community has jumped in to help as well. Local eateries have provided food, and others have donated cots, blankets and pillows.
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The facility has several areas walled off so people can have privacy, but Johnson said the thing they need most right now are face masks and pre-packaged food and hygiene items. They had already been feeding up to 250 people on almost a daily basis, according to Johnson and there are people who wouldn’t have a way to come in out of the cold if they didn’t have this set up.
She said they are taking in people 24/7 at this time, until it gets a little warmer on Thursday. If you’d like more info about how you can give or serve, or other info, call 501-315-9999. And if you need a place to stay while it’s too cold, come to the Church of Helping Hands and Caring Hearts.