The Warming Shelter opens doors to provide food, warmth, and community

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Warming Shelter is opening for three nights through Monday this week, giving people a bed, food, clothes, and a warm place to sleep. 

On Sunday morning, a microphone was set up for those staying at the shelter, with people singing Christmas songs and sharing their story. 

“This community has so much to offer. People have talent, people have passion, people have so many gifts. So to be able to set up a microphone and give them a chance to share that together, all of us, it’s pretty special,” Pastor Jamie Thompson said. 

Thompson has been instrumental in opening the warming shelter during Wilmington’s coldest nights for the last two and half years. 

She says 95 people showed up to the shelter Saturday night, with some folks just passing through—like Joseph White.  

White lives at Rescue Mission Cape Fear and is a member of Grace United Methodist where the shelter is set up.

White says for many years he was on the streets battling with addiction. That is until he began surrounding himself with local ministries. 

“And I found if I book my schedule to always be around somebody that’s going to hold me accountable, after a while it gets easier and easier,” White explained. 

White says for many, the services The Warming Shelter provides can be deeply impactful. 

“This provides protection, warmth from outside elements and people getting sick, and then the biggest I think to anybody is food,” White said. “To have a warm meal, it works wonders. It makes you feel like you’re appreciated, it makes you feel like you’re welcome.” 

But places like The Warming Shelter wouldn’t be possible—White says—without the work of people like Thompson. 

“If I didn’t hear her name, I wouldn’t be here,” White added.

Those willing to help among us can’t do it alone. 

“Financial donations are always welcome, Easiest way to do that is QR codes on the Facebook page, but we can also always use extra snacks, individually wrapped soda, things like that,” Thompson said. 

Thompson adds the shelter is also in need of volunteers to close down the shelter Tuesday morning. 

To donate, volunteer, or learn more about the warming shelter, you can visit the shelter’s Facebook page.