RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- They planned for 48 hours, now they're 6 days in -- Awaken Church RVA has stayed open throughout the recent storm, providing a warm place to stay and other resources to vulnerable community members. 8News producer Samantha Game spoke with Nick Jenkins, lead pastor at Awaken Church, on Friday, Jan. 30 about what the week looked like for the team, after taking in local individuals and those from shelters experiencing space issues due to frigid temperatures and everlasting ice. Jenkins is also the director of communications and community outreach for the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center, which assisted the church in providing hot meals as well as bagged lunches to those in need. (Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins) "[We're] really trying to connect people to, not just a warm place to stay, but while we have you, what other needs can we serve," Jenkins said. Jenkins said that even though their church is on the smaller side, only hosting about 75 to 125 people, they showed up when needed, keeping their shelter open as others had to deactivate. "I think for us... one of the biggest things beyond our own participation moving forward, we're really hoping that this inspires others to get involved,' Jenkins said. "It doesn't take being an expert in this, it just takes being willing, and then people are going to step up and help." Jenkins even mentioned a recent instance where a man was found dead under a walkway outside of a Richmond community center on Tuesday, Jan. 27, with ongoing below-freezing temperatures believed to be a factor in his death. "There's a reality that not everybody will go to a shelter... but if one person will, then it's worth opening our doors," Jenkins said. The church will be deactivating on Friday, in an effort to give members of the team -- some of whom have been there for the six day duration -- some time to rest and recoup, with future plans to have a conversation about next steps. (Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins)(Credit: Nick Jenkins) The church's current guests will be transported to other Richmond shelters that are reactivating, so that care can continue as more winter weather is expected to hit the region throughout the weekend. Jenkins emphasized that this was a group effort, and involved help from the Chesterfield Food Bank, A Place of Miracles Cafe and Clothing Cottage, Backpacks for the Homeless and Modern Richmond Builders -- who provided a generator as well as heaters, just in case the church lost power. "I think that this really showed our community that it doesn't take some 72 different meetings, it just takes people willing enough to open up their doors and show up, and the people will be there," Jenkins said. ...read more read less