Downtown Wilmington warming shelter opening tonight

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– An emergency, overnight shelter is opening tonight, as temperatures dip into the 20s, to provide a safe and warm place for the homeless.   

The warming shelter is operating out of Grace United Methodist Church in the 400 block of Grace Street. 

Those in need of a place out of the cold will be provided with a meal and a place to sleep.    

Volunteers were hard at work Tuesday setting up cots and preparing food for guests.   

This is the church’s first time ever hosting, and they are preparing for 97 visitors. 

“There will be snacks and then supper, around 9:30 they’ll get pizza, and then they get a hot breakfast in the morning before they go,” said Linda Higgins, Volunteer.   

The shelter will stay open through the weekend. Organizers say they are still in need of donations like women’s and men’s underwear, drinks, cold medicine, and cough drops.   

The shelter will open at 5:30 pm Tuesday-Sunday night.