Churches provide homeless with food, bed, warm place to sleep

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With temperatures dropping into the teens or low 20’s Monday night, it’s important to stay warm. For those who do not have a place to call home, that can be difficult.

Philip Chryst, pastor of the Anchor Church in downtown Wilmington, says he knows how much homeless people struggle this time of year.

He says 25 percent of his congregation is homeless.

“I found four folks that were literally having blankets covering them, and were shaking because it was so cold,” said Chryst.

The church has partnered with St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church to open a warming shelter at the corner of 15th and Market streets.

“They look out for us, and help us out, we eat, and stay out of the cold,” said one man at the shelter.

Charles Nixon says he’s been coming to the church for about two months. He says Chryst looks out for him, and he doesn’t know where he’d be if this shelter wasn’t an option.

“I’d probably be out there froze to death,” said Nixon.

Volunteer Jack Barracco says he enjoys helping. He believes more people need to care about those in need.

“It’s sad that homeless people do get bad reps because they’re really nice. Most, the majority of them are all nice. You just got to sit down and get to know them, to really get deep down inside their soul, get to know them,” said Barraco.

Chryst says you don’t need to attend the church to come to the shelter. Everyone is welcome.

“We need to become a city of welcome. A city of peace,” said Chryst. “And not just be known as a really expensive place to folks to live and retire to. But instead, use that creative energy that we have to do good in our city, and to create jobs and create affordable housing. And I think this is a great opportunity for us to do that in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.”

Chryst says the shelter will close Tuesday as the weather begins to warm up.

To find out when they will reopen, check the Anchor Church Facebook page.