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Code Purple Planning Meeting
On February 24 at 6 p.m., we will hold a meeting to discuss how St. John’s can help organize support for unhoused people during Code Purple events.
When Code Purple is declared due to dangerously low temperatures, individuals without shelter face life-threatening conditions. We believe our church can play a meaningful role in responding to this local urgent need.
At this meeting, we will:
– Learn more about what Code Purple means locally
– Discuss possible roles St. John’s could take
– Explore partnerships and volunteer opportunities
– Consider logistics and next steps
Mandy Taylor has been researching this topic for a few months and will speak to us about what is already happening in Jackson County and how we might help weave those threads together.
If you are interested in being part of this effort, please plan to attend. Your ideas and willingness to serve are vital as we discern how best to move forward.
We hope to see you there.
Meeting summary:
Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday (2/24) in the Parish Hall for our Code Purple planning meeting!
The conversation was led by community partners Steve Steen, Pantry Manager at Community Table, and Dr. Mandy Oliver Taylor, retired educator and board member of Mountain Projects, as well as a volunteer with Community Table and Uncomplicated Kitchen. They joined us as individuals who recognize the longstanding efforts to support neighbors facing dire circumstances during emergency situations and who want to help carry those efforts even further through collaboration.
We began by reviewing what a Code Purple is. Code Purple is a seasonal cold-weather response (November-April) activated when temperatures reach 32° or below, or 33-40° with precipitation, for three or more days. In Jackson County, activation is announced and coordinated by HERE in Jackson County and Code Red. Currently, individuals in need of shelter must contact HERE directly to request a room, and there is only one partnered hotel, meaning available beds are extremely limited.
Dr. Mandy shared that after reviewing nearly 20 years of documented community conversations and actions related to supporting unhoused and vulnerable neighbors, one theme is clear: the care, concern, and willingness to act have always been present. However, larger community-wide interventions have often stalled in the brainstorming and planning stages. The need remains for a stable, reliable, coordinated community response to support and strengthen the current system – ensuring all neighbors are warm and safe during the winter months.
We also discussed an example already in action: The Grove Church in Bryson City operates a Warming Center led by Rev. Jeff Helpman. The center hosts an average of 20 cots and requires 14 volunteers every 24-hour period, made possible entirely through community contributions and volunteer support.
Looking ahead, we discussed what a collaborative network could look like: faith congregations and nonprofit partners working together to form a coordinated Code Purple response that supports and strengthens existing systems.
If you would like to get involved now:
• The Grove Church Warming Center – Email Pastor Jeff at Grovechurchbrysoncity@gmail.
• Community Table – Learn about volunteer opportunities here: https://communitytable.org/
Our next planning meeting will be March 26 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. All are welcome, always. The more community input, resources, and collaboration we have, the stronger and more sustainable this effort can be.
We hope you’ll join us.