GASTONIA, N.C. — With freezing temperatures coming this weekend, many will be looking to stay inside.
And many shelters in the area – including the Salvation Army Shelter in Gaston County - are expecting to reach capacity and are asking for help.
“Normally we average, as far as volunteers, one or two people and that’s a lot for a volunteer to kind of handle," Social Services Director of the Gastonia Salvation Army Shelter John Mill said. "For the most part, the guests are sleeping and relaxing but if the need is that something goes haywire and someone needs emergency services, having one volunteer here with the staff is a bit much to handle."
Mill said they’re the “only shelter in town that can handle the capacity,” so they’ve already started preparing by arranging more meals, and getting more cots, and now they just need more volunteers.
“For the volunteers, they’re really just setting everything up, just seeing what the needs are as far as food, clothing, and even the blessing bags like toiletries that we give to the guests when they leave,” Mills said.
One volunteer, Rex Haynes, said he’s been volunteering at the shelter for a while now and is more than happy to come in and do his part.
“I care very much about the homeless," Haynes said. "I have a passion for them and I want to help in any little way that I can. I can’t do it in money, but I can do it in time. It’s so sad to see so many people who are down and out and are in a situation where they don’t have food to eat or need a place to stay."
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Anyone who wishes to volunteer can do so by going to the Gaston County Salvation Army website to apply.
As for other shelters in the area, many are adjusting to the need.
Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO), Roof Above, the Salvation Army Center of Hope, and Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte are working together to support the needs of unhoused people.
Roof Above’s Day Services Center, located at 945 N. College St., will operate under normal hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
For Men:
Roof Above provides shelter for men and expanded capacity at their shelter locations, starting at 4:30 p.m. at 3410 Statesville Ave. or 1210 N. Tryon St.
For Women and Families:
The Salvation Army provides shelter for women and families and expanded capacity at their shelter location, between 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 534 Spratt St.
Transportation:
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will offer free transportation to individuals on specific routes. Passengers are required to inform the bus driver of their destination at one of the designated shelter locations.
This complimentary service is exclusive to Routes 11, 21, 22, and 26 traveling to Spratt Street, as well as Route 21 heading to Statesville Avenue.
The operation of these routes will follow their regular weekday and Saturday schedules, ensuring consistent and reliable service for those in need of shelter.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.