The Warming Shelter ILM needs extra help with its extended days of operation

"I don't think I've missed one day since the four years we've been open."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY(WWAY)–As we prepare for below-freezing nights, The Warming Shelter ILM is opening its doors to unhoused individuals who may need to escape the cold.
Meg McBride, organizer of The Warming Shelter ILM, says they’ve decided to extend days of operation to Wednesday, Jan. 15th. However, they need a few more volunteers to lend a hand.
Every night, when temperatures drop below freezing, The Warming Shelter ILM is introduced to new faces. And this sanctuary makes sure everyone gets the help homeless individuals may need.

“What I’m seeing happening is people come one time, and then they come back, and they want to do it again, which I love,” McBride said.

Folding clean towels is Pastor Meg McBride, organizer of The Warming Shelter ILM, which is at Grace United Methodist Church in Downtown Wilmington.

“The volunteer slot is structured into specific roles, and each role is just for a short period of time- maybe two to three hours,” McBride explained.

McBride tells me she has extended the operation days of the shelter to Wednesday, the 15th. At first, the last day was Saturday the 11th. But they need some extra helping hands.

“Our core volunteers have been with us for many years. So, they come from my church, from Harriet Grace,” McBride explained.

McBride says help is needed in the laundry room, the morning team to make breakfast and coffee, and even the closing team– cleaning the shelter on its last day.

Reporter: “What we did here is easy. This is light work.”
McBride: “I know. Right? This is an easy job. This is the laundry for our mobile shower trailer, which is out front. We’re going to be firing that up in a bit, and we’re going to do 40 or 50 showers tonight.”

The volunteers love it. You can hear it from Wendy Bailey.

“I don’t think I’ve missed one day since the four years we’ve been open,” Bailey said. “You get to see where some changes could be made. We don’t have the answers because this is not long-term housing. This is just a band-aid over the problem.”

At most, these folks get a thank you. But that’s okay because the rewarding feeling at the end tugs at their hearts.

Volunteers are needed for morning shifts and the closing shift. If you would like to help, click here.