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In July, Gov. Andy Beshear declared four counties, including Jessamine County, as recovery-ready communities after a report showed deaths from drug overdoses in Kentucky fell by almost 10 percent. 

There are several substance abuse harm reduction and recovery resources throughout the county, one of them being the Shepherd’s House Recovery Community Center. 

Shepherd’s House is accepting warm winter clothing and monetary donations through March to continue assisting the community through the frigid months. 

Kate Holway, Program Director at Shepherd’s House, is asking the community for donations such as coats, sweatshirts, blankets, gloves, hats, socks, boots, sleeping bags, tents, tarps, and anything that people want to give that can help people stay warm in the winter. She only asks that the donations be clean and in good condition– without stains or tears. 

Holway said their closet has plenty of options for women’s winter clothing but will accept more. She said they’re in great need of warm clothing for men and winter boots for all. Shepherd’s House is open for donations and visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays. 

Shauna O’Nan, Harm Reduction Director at the Jessamine County Health Department, had the idea to work with the Jessamine County Food Pantry. If you go to Shepherd’s House to drop off a coat, drop off a canned good, too, and its staff will bring the canned goods to the Jessamine County Food Pantry. 

If you are unable to make physical donations but would still like to help provide warm clothes for your Jessamine County neighbors in need, Shepherd’s House will also accept cash donations. 

“Last year, someone gave us $100 or $200, and we went out and bought socks and gloves and that kind of stuff. If they want to do that, they can. If a church wants to donate and needs us to pick it up, we will,” Holway said. 

O’Nan mentioned that there are people in Jessamine County who have lost toes to frostbite, “so it’s really important that we help our people not lose fingers and toes and their lives,” she said. 

“A man [once] came in last year absolutely freezing, and we were able to give him a pair of overalls, a heavy jacket, a couple [of] sweatshirts, socks, and everything. We also gave him a thermal sleeping bag. I don’t know if it’s his life, but it changed his attitude for that day, so he wasn’t freezing,” Holway said. 

Last year, the closet served 87 people. It is currently open for anyone who is in need of protection from winter weather. If you would like to pick up any items at the Shepherd’s House Closet, be sure to get a voucher from the Health Department. “The voucher helps us track and prove that this is a vital resource in the county, and that kind of helps us continue being able to do it,” O’Nan said. 

Holway and O’Nan want everyone in Jessamine County to know that Shepherd’s House is open to anyone. “People can come in and get some coffee, and some popcorn, and a snack. You don’t have to be a recovering substance user or an alcoholic. If you’re somebody in need, and it’s a safe place to stay warm, you can come in here and do that. There’s computers, phones, television, everybody’s welcome, and I want everybody to know that. That’s why we call it a recovery community center. Because if you’re out there in the cold and you come here for warmth, you’re recovering from something,” Holway said.

“And the coffee is always hot,” O’Nan said.