A warm resolution in Ravenna from KentWired.com on Vimeo.

As temperatures drop to single digits, and into the negatives at night, Portage County residents who don’t have heat or a home will have a solution to their problems.

The Center of Hope in Ravenna and Kent Social Services will open their doors to residents that need a warm place to stay.  They will provide a 24-hour “warming center” where residents can get food and a warm place to sleep at night.

Donna Difiore, a volunteer at the Center of Hope, said volunteers provide hats, gloves and scarves, along with other necessities.

“We supply food, (and) we feed them,” Difiore said.  “They can watch videos.  We give them a blanket if they need it to go to sleep at night.”

The warming centers are offered when temperatures reach 10 degrees or below.  If the center isn’t within walking distance, Ravenna residents can ride a PARTA bus for free if they mention they’re going to the warming center.

The center isn’t just offered to the homeless but also to residents who don’t have heat or electricity in their home.

Although the center is focused on helping residents, it also makes an impact on volunteers.

“It makes me feel good to give back to the community,” Difiore said.  “There have been people who have been saved and changed their lives because of this.”

The Center of Hope’s warming center will be open through Sunday.  The center also provides hot meals throughout the week.

Contact Alexandria Valverde at [email protected].