WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — Temperatures have been below freezing, making the outside feel unbearable without proper clothing. Those without a place to stay are even more vulnerable.
One local man is opening his shop up as a warming station, and anyone who needs a moment to get warm can stop by.
Andrew Mullins is the owner of Odd’s in Warren on Youngstown Road, and the store is a warming station for the season.
“Just being in the neighborhood, man. We have, unfortunately, quite a few homeless and different things around here. So, I figured, I got the space. Let God use it,” Mullins said.
Mullins has been using his business as a warming station for a couple of years, getting anywhere from a couple of people to 20 people a day. He also offers food for those with nowhere else to go.
“I just seen there was a need for it because there’s nowhere else to go just to get out of the cold. So, it’s only a couple of bucks to offer a can of soup and a hot chocolate,” Mullins said.
Mullins says he’s been in that position before and he’s blessed to offer some kindness to those that need it now. He says Odd’s helps the community in other ways, such as hosting Warming Warren, which gives away free warm clothes a couple of times throughout the year.
“I think the real big step that I made when it gets cold is just open, but we always try to stay interactive. Warming Warren also has been hosted here. They do hats, coats, gloves and pass them out to the community.
The warming station will be open to anyone during business hours, which are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, according to Odd’s Facebook page.