‘We’re very behind’ | Claiborne Co. mayor looking up upgrade winter weather resources

TAZEWELL, Tenn. (WVLT) - In Claiborne County, there isn’t a county owned or operated warming center, so volunteers are the ones who step up to provide a critical resource for many who would otherwise be left outside in dangerously cold weather.

Tazewell Church of Christ opened their doors on Tuesday 24 hours a day up until Saturday at noon for people to stay and escape the cold.

The church doesn’t get any county funding to help with food, blankets, pillows or utilities cost.

“We try to go out of our way. Even if it comes out of our pocket, we still want to be Christ-like to those in need,” said Preacher Denver Tate.

Mayor Joe Brooks said he’d like to one day be able to have county funds contribute to the volunteers that help keep warming shelters open during a critical time of need.

As Brooks thinks about a solution to being better prepared for winter weather, he finds himself at an impasse with the county commission.

Last month, Brooks proposed a plan that would allocate $2,500 of county dollars to go towards the construction of three warming boxes across the city. Those boxes would be full of resources for the homeless like blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.

The county commission voted against that proposal.

“We’re very behind the 8-ball when it comes to meeting that need,” said Brooks.

Several county commissioners spoke to WVLT ahead of their Tuesday night meeting and said the money was not the issue. They said they voted against it because they feared that the warming boxes would create more issues with homelessness and add a strain to city and county resources.

This also comes at a time where Claiborne County Schools hasn’t sent children back to the classroom since they dismissed for winter break on Dec. 17. Wednesday will mark the 13th snow day in a row they’ve used.

“We can do better with cold weather on all fronts,” said Brooks.

While county leaders work to figure out the next steps in how they prepare for winter weather, it’s places like Tazewell Church of Christ that are providing perhaps the most critical resource for people.

It’s a warming center that’s being completely staffed by volunteers that rely on donations and others' generosity to help feed and house those in need for multiple nights.

The shelter is located at 1605 Tazewell Rd and is open until noon Saturday.