Shared goal — helping those in need — brings residents together

Businessman Mike McKuin of Fisk and Bishop Ron Webb of Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church share a common goal. They want friends and neighbors to have shelter and food during the cold, snowy weather.

Webb was asked to partner with Family Counseling Center to find ways to keep people warm and fed.

McKuin also knew people in his community were struggling in the sub-zero temperatures, and opened a warming center in Harviell.

Webb said he and McKuin saw the same need and started finding ways to help. Neither realized the other one was working to help those in need. While both were seeking to provide assistance, they were soon reaching different people in the community.

“My office was inundated with calls about helping people that were homeless,” Webb said Wednesday in a Facebook live video with McKuin.

McKuin also received calls and messages about those in need.

It turns out, McKuin and Webb are not strangers. McKuin’s business is near Mt. Calvary Powerhouse Church and he helps the church when they need his equipment.

Webb explained after he realized they were working toward the same goal, they met to see how they might work together in the future.

McKuin plans to become more involved in the church’s food program.

For now both warming centers remain open, one at FCC and one in Harviell.

McKuin is providing water for the people staying at the warming center he opened. A problem with frozen water pipes was resolved Wednesday and he is also installing a shower. He has rented motel rooms and transported folks to get showers. After cleaning up, they are returning to the center.

He said between seven and nine people are staying at the Harviell shelter, one or two more show up every day.

He and other volunteers are answering calls and Facebook messages and going out to help others.

People are dropping by with bedding, food and essentials, McKuin said.

Everything is going well with both the warming center near Harviell and the one at FCC, which Webb is involved in helping.

McKuin said, one of the people at the Harviell warming center “wants to go to rehab” and others want jobs “to get their lives back on track.”

Webb and McKuin know folks “just need a chance.”

McKuin said he’s learning “how much work is involved in helping others and there are rules like crazy.”

Webb stressed neither he nor McKuin has a personal agenda other than finding ways to keep people warm and fed.

The men addressed in their Facebook live video some negative feedback that appeared on social media early in the week. A comment made by Webb about people sleeping in gas stations — in this case businesses open 24 hours — was taken out of context, the men said.

They asked everyone to refocus on the business of helping those in need.

McKuin and Webb echo each other when they suggest everyone needs to “do their part and help whenever they can.”

McKuin and Webb have not asked for donations but have been overwhelmed by the response from others.

McKuin said FCC has been helping him too.

McKuin can be reached at 573-718-1177. The overnight warming station at 3001 Warrior Lane may be reached by calling 573-718-1049. Anyone coming on their own should enter at the rear of the building.

Second Baptist Church’s warming center at Pine Boulevard and Fifth Street is open from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Hot food is provided.

During business hours, the Butler County Health Center and both branches of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library serve as warming sites.