THOMASVILLE — Most beds at the First Missionary Baptist Church warming shelter were empty midmorning Thursday. Of the six men using the shelter, only two remained there Thursday morning. Those who had left — and maybe others — were expected to return Thursday night.

The shelter has housed homeless people as the temperature dipped into the 20s for several days. The low temperature Thursday was 23, church Pastor Jeremy Rich said.

“There are those who will not come into the shelter, so we are taking items to them,” said Sharon Edwards, who heads the Thomasville-Thomas County Homeless Coalition. The homeless agency is assisting the church with the shelter.

Other homeless people are living in vacant houses that do not have utilities and in tent cities in several locations. Others are sleeping in parking lots and in woods, Edwards said.

Carolyn Henry, church minister of music, said a homeless family opted not to use the shelter because they have a dog. The family took hygiene products, blankets, hats and other clothing with them.

The shelter provided food and blankets for the dog.

Rich said only men have stayed at the shelter to date, but quarters are available at the church for women and families.

The community rallied quickly Tuesday to set up and equip the shelter:

• Archbold Medical Center provided sheets.

• The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office provided sleeping mats.

• Thomas County schools provided sleeping bags

• A physician is volunteering services.

• The Thomas County Ministerial Alliance is providing help to keep the shelter open around the clock.

“We’ve had an abundance of food donated,” Rich said.

Among other donations are hygiene products and blankets.

“Cold weather brought out compassion and brotherly love,” Rich said, adding that the shelter is part of First Missionary Baptist’s continuing projects to establish community missions.

Anyone needing a ride to the shelter should call 911. The sheriff’s office, Thomasville Police Department and Thomas County Transit are providing transportation to the church.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820