Warming Shelter ILM opens for second consecutive night

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For the second consecutive night, the Warming Shelter ILM opened its doors Monday night, helping around 100 people stay warm as lower temperatures hit the region.

This is the second time this winter that the shelter has opened for consecutive nights, with around 80 people staying Sunday night and even more being helped on Monday.

People staying could get a hot meal and new clothes, enjoy a movie, and listen to some live music.

Some even took a hot shower, provided by a mobile shower unit.

“You say nothing and I mean, nothing. That was the best shower I probably had this decade,” said one man after finishing his shower.

Sounia Nejad Chaney donated several winter jackets, chips and other snacks.

She said while this was the first time she had helped the shelter, it won’t be the last.

“It’s just a hospitable environment,” Chaney said. “As soon as I walked in, the people that were here were welcoming, the staff were welcoming, the volunteers were welcoming. So I feel like its, its hooked me in, I can’t wait to come back again.”

The shelter’s executive director, Meg McBride, said the shelter needs more items to help as many people as possible.

“A lot of it is just getting and resuppling with, you know, the things that we need like paper goods, and snacks and soda and all those things,” McBride said. “But it’s that same routine every single time, right? Following that kind of recipe.”

McBride added that she is keeping an eye on the weather to see if the shelter will open again either this or next week.