BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Salvation Army of Iredell County, its board of directors, and a group of dedicated volunteers worked together over the weekend to open a 24-hour emergency warming shelter in Statesville to keep unhoused and other residents warm and well-fed during the winter storm.
Lt. April McCormick and the Salvation Army board decided on Tuesday to extend the emergency shelter another five days, until Sunday, because of the continuing polar temperatures.
Volunteer Pam Navey said between 23 and 26 community members, a third of whom are of advanced age, have sought comfort at the Salvation Army facility at 1361 Caldwell Street in Statesville over the past four days. Volunteers have provided three meals each day for the guests.
“There has been a definite need for this warming shelter,” said Navey, who praised the active and dedicated Salvation Army board for supporting this effort for unsheltered folks and those in emergency situations.
Two or three volunteers stay each night to attend to guests’ needs, and staff and volunteers cook meals during the day.
Foundation of Hope Founder Karen Kidd, who volunteered on the Monday overnight shift, said the guests enjoyed a night of lively card games and board games, describing it to Navey as a “big family party.”
Statesville police officers brought one couple to the facility after their tire was damaged, and staff got the woman to the emergency room after she suffered a medical emergency without her medication.
Volunteers also arranged for community partners Casey’s Auto and C/M Discount Tire to fix the tire, and the couple arrived safely home on Tuesday afternoon.
Police brought another unsheltered man to the warming shelter after his discharge from the hospital because the Fifth Street Ministries night shelter was full.
Navey said community partners and community members have been generous with their assistance. Some brought beanies, gloves, socks, snacks, and thermal underwear. Fourth Creek Rotary brought snacks, and Pocket Change Amusement donated 12 cases of water.
Fifth Street and Yokefellow have helped with food items, and Food Lion donated a gift card to fill in food gaps.
When several guests asked for showers, Fifth Street Ministries Executive Director Tamara Roach arranged for them to use the Path House facilities. The agency also provided ice melt and emergency lighting.
The Statesville Police Department Junior Ambassadors, supervised by Community Resource Coordinator Nakayla Griffin, brought coats and blankets from their recent donation drive.
JD’s Deli provided a hot meal one evening. The Cove Church is providing three hot meals for the additional five nights, with G4G and Fairview Baptist Church are stepping up for the other two.
Doosan Bobcat loaned a huge generator, and electrician Jeff Thorson volunteered over six hours making sure it was safely connected if needed.
Iredell County Emergency Management and Fifth Street Ministries provided cots, bringing the emergency shelter’s capacity to around 35.
Volunteer Gary Farr is staying overnight for the duration of the shelter. Board chair Leon Ijames, Mary Horne and Steve Byrd have also been daily volunteers.
“When crisis comes, love rises. We are forever grateful for every person who stepped in, stood alongside us, and served with compassion,” Kidd said. “This is what community looks like.
“God gets all our praise and glory. He sets all assignments, and His people answered the calling,” she added.
URGENT NEEDS
With the five-day extension of the emergency shelter, Navey said staff and volunteers are scrambling to meet meal and other needs.
In addition to more pillows and blankets, needs include snacks, breakfast bars, protein bars, breakfast meats, cereal, sliced bread (white and whole wheat), deli meats, cheese slices, gallons of tea and lemonade, flavored powder packets for water bottles, cookies, brownies, or other pick-up dessert items, saltine crackers, and sturdy, larger size paper bowls for soups.
These can be delivered or Door Dashed to the Salvation Army at 1361 Caldwell Street in Statesville from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LEARN MORE
For more information, contact the Salvation Army at 704-872-5623 during business hours or call Navey at 704-902-1637.