GASTONIA, N.C. — A cooling station is now open to help those in Gastonia beat the heat.
Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) and Gaston County Community Support Services (CSS) have partnered with The Salvation Army to open the site at the Salvation Army Center of Hope downtown at 107 South Broad Street.
The support comes amid the hottest temperatures of the year with first responders seeing more people in need.
"We’re seeing an influx of calls, especially for the homeless community, those that have to walk to work and don’t have a reliable means of transportation," Deputy Chief Brad Best with the Gastonia Fire Department said. "They’re being overcome by heat before they even get to their appointment.”
The station, which offers relief each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is now open at the same location preparing to close its homeless shelter.
The Salvation Army told WCNC Charlotte it's closing the Gastonia and Lincoln County sites with hopes of transitioning to a more cost-effective, transformative way to support those experiencing homelessness.
"That’s 64 souls that are going to need a place to sleep at night," Pastor Dwayne Burks, a community advocate, said. "I hope this is a move to improve the systems of care but there is going to be a real struggle while those adjustments are made.”
The Salvation Army said staff is working with those living in the shelter to explore housing options and help with the transition.
"It's either steal and live or go hungry and die," Martin Ledford, who's experiencing homelessness, said. "We both know what the answer is going to be. I just hope I'm not here to see it.”
The last day the Salvation Army will be accepting new residents is July 15 and the last day to provide emergency shelter for the remaining residents is August 31.
CSS is also collecting supplies for those in need and has an Amazon Wish List. Donations may be sent directly to Community Support Services through Amazon.
For more information or if you have questions about the cooling center, email Community Support Services or call the CSS Hotline at (704) 869-7387.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.