The Warming Shelter ILM reopens in downtown Wilmington, seeking overnight volunteers as cold persists

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — The Warming Shelter ILM at Grace United Methodist Church in downtown Wilmington opened up this weekend and will remain open through Saturday. 

The Warming Shelter ILM has opened four times so far, this January, responding to extended periods of cold weather across New Hanover County. 

 The shelter relies entirely on community donations — and as temperatures continue to drop, the need for support continues to grow. 

 One of the biggest needs the shelter has right now is volunteers for the overnight shift from 10 pm to 5:30 am. 

 Charlene Zorn is the volunteer food coordinator for the Warming Shelter ILM, and she says these volunteers are essential for safety. 

“We need to keep our friends safe. We need to make sure that nothing’s happening that shouldn’t be happening. We do safety in numbers; we work together to make sure everyone is taken care of,” said Zorn. 

Anyone who is experiencing homelessness is welcome to stay overnight. 

Check-in begins at 5 PM, with checkout at 9 AM. 

Those interested in volunteering can sign up through the shelter’s website at www.thewarmingshelterilm.com.