Revival of Grays Harbor has opened a donation room and rest area for any homeless people who need supplies, food or just a place to get warm. Located at 115 W. Heron Street, the program’s executive director Phil Calloway converted the storefront space to showcase clothes the organization has collected, as well as free food and medical supplies.

“Definitely a lot of people realize this is here and it will help them for the future,” said Calloway. “I think even once we find an actual shelter, we’ll probably leave this here, so we have something stable that everyone can come back to. It’s something that we need regardless, and it provides a good drop off point.”

Revival is a homeless assistance program that provides various services and supplies to those in need. Recently, it lost its cold-weather shelter at the Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.

Since there was a lot of stored clothing and other supplies in the church basement, Calloway decided to move it all to the store on Heron street to provide easy access for those who need it.

The Revival store is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Calloway said they had 24 people come into the store on its first day open Monday, some of whom were just happy to sit in a heated area for a while. The first couple days they’ve offered hot dogs, cooking on strategically-placed metal rolling heaters on the windowsill.

In a typical visit, guests are allowed to take one or two pieces of clothes such as jackets, shirts and shoes, and can also get bags of medical and hygiene supplies. Staff also offer to wash and dry anyone’s wet clothes.

Calloway and his fellow workers are looking for a new permanent shelter location, and they are waiting to hear back from multiple non-profit organizations interested in helping them. One worker for Revival, Tracy Clayton, said it has been tough hearing from homeless people who can no longer use the shelter. She said one man who frequently used the shelter and had no where to go at night died recently. Some still go to the church, not realizing the shelter is closed, Clayton added.

“Some people with mental illness still go to the church, and that kills me because they don’t get it,” said Clayton. “I was crying when I saw the thunderstorm the other day. I am happy they at least have this store now.”

Those who wish to donate to Revival of Grays Harbor can do so at the store located at 115 W. Heron St. in Aberdeen.