March 12 Ministries says White Flag shelter operated 29 nights, connected guests to care

Laura Cook, representing March 12 Ministries, told the Shepherdsville City Council that the White Flag shelter concluded its winter season after operating 29 nights and three consecutive days of continuous warming-station services.

"We were open for 29 nights, and we had 3 days of continuous," Cook said. March 12 Ministries said it staffed a daytime warming station at Mercy Hill from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and an overnight shelter at First Baptist from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. during the cold stretch.

Cook reported 30 different guests used the shelter over the 29 nights: 19 men, 8 women and 3 children. Volunteers and partner organizations helped most guests connect to services; March 12 Ministries said two guests with significant medical conditions were triaged by a volunteer nurse practitioner and later hospitalized for treatment.

Cook also said staff identified three guests who were passing through from other states; the ministry provided bus tickets to Alabama, Tennessee and Florida to help them continue their journeys. For three women whose needs exceeded local resources, March 12 Ministries arranged transport to a downtown Louisville program for women's shelter and ID services.

Cook described the shelter as both a lifesaving overnight option and an entry point for casework: "The White Flag Shelter is important for the safety overnight of people just sleeping and staying alive, but also us having that touch point of meeting people where they are over a meal and saying, how can we help you change your situation?" she said.

Council members thanked the ministry and volunteer hosts, and the council acknowledged First Baptist Church and Mercy Hill for hosting the operation. No formal council action was taken; Cook offered handouts and contact information for residents and volunteers interested in supporting future shelter efforts.