CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Latonja Whitaker and her family of three know firsthand what it's like to search for warmth on the cold concrete.
"It's just cold no one wants to be outside," said Whitaker. "I light stuff on fire paper that I come across, it’s a struggle trying to stay warm."
She says that when the temperature drops, more people crowd the shelter, and her biggest fear is being turned away due to congestion and having to bundle up on the pavement.
"It's going below 30 and there is just not enough clothes," said Whitaker.
Deronda Metz is the director of the Salvation Army Center of Hope and she is hoping to alleviate worry by bringing more people in.
"We don't want our homeless people in this community to freeze," said Metz.
Metz said they’re already at capacity, but to prevent them from turning people around, they're allowing people to sleep on the dining room floor.
"Weather definitely snuck up on us this week and we started putting cots out and allowing people to come in out of the cold," said Metz.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope is preparing for people to continue to seek refuge from the cold through Sunday.
Metz said that as the organization continues to help keep folks warm, they're encouraging the community to lend a helping hand.
If you would like to donate blankets or jackets, the best way to help is to drop off donations at the shelter.
The Salvation Army Center of Hope is located at 534 Spratt St.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.