BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — As this cold snap continues to send shivers across the commonwealth, the spirit of compassion is alive and well in Kentucky. At least one church is making sure the community stays warm.

Even though it’s not Sunday, the Christ Episcopal Church has opened their front doors to give a place of warmth and hot cocoa for people in need.

One volunteer, Kris York, said, “I think it’s really important to help, come together and serve God’s children.”

York knows firsthand about what it means to be housing insecure.

York said, “I struggled with mental health and drug addictions, and basically, growing up, I stayed place to place when I was young.”

York turned his life around and uses his experience to help others who are walking in his former shoes, working for Do Not Forget Me Ministries, a nonprofit that helps the homeless community.

York said, “By the grace of God, I’ve been clean for six years. All of us are just one step away from being these people. We have to realize that these are still people too.”

Giving people a warm place to stay helps prevent several cold weather ailments, including hypothermia and frostbite. A person staying at the warm center, who wanted to remain anonymous, said it (the church) is lifesaving.

He said, “For a lot of us, I don’t know what we would do. I mean, we would be out in the cold, get frost bit, get into the hospital, and, God only knows, honestly.”

The church gave out food to those who might not have access to meals. Everyone seeking shelter here also had access to basic needs.

York said, “There’s no difference between any of us. We all should be equal in God’s eyes, help one another, to better this community.”