Hot temperatures bring more homeless to Greeneville CARE Center; staff says hard work keeps place running

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Hot temperatures can be dangerous and even fatal for people who do not have a home, access to clean water or proper shelter. That’s why the CARE Center in Greeneville is stocked with food and plenty of water for people in need.

The center is open to the public and is located at 766 West Andrew Johnson Highway.

“We have an increase of people coming inside,” said Ismael Castro, Co-founder of the CARE Center. “It’s hot outside, it’s really hot, so they come in they’re getting some cool air conditioning. Other than that, they get a meal and then they take off again.”

Castro told News Channel 11 that the increase of people coming to the center has also spiked the number of meals being served, but they are prepared with lots of food. Volunteers at the center said they see firsthand how the shelter helps the community.

“They come in here, they’re hot, they’re exhausted from walking where they come from, and we make sure they have water,” said Lynwood Lietzke, a volunteer at the CARE Center. “We give them three meals a day and we show them love.”

Lietzke said although there has been an increased need for food, volunteers are constantly dropping off supplies.

“We really get a good bunch of volunteers,” said Lietzke. “We get a lot of people that bring in bottled water and they bring in snacks and food continuously.”

Without a place for those in the homeless population to cool down, they can experience dangerous conditions caused from heat, such as dehydration and heat stroke.

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