GASTONIA, NC – After temporarily hosting guests earlier this year, the First United Methodist Church of Gastonia has committed to hosting the Cold Weather Shelter to provide a warm place to sleep for unhoused members of the Gaston County community.
The location change begins Friday, December 20, 2024, when the shelter opens for the night at 8:00.
The church is hosting the shelter in its Family Life Center on the church’s campus at 190 E. Franklin Blvd.
The City of Gastonia and Gaston County had previously operated a Warming Station at the Gastonia Farmer’s Market.
The City and County will continue to provide the law enforcement officers to provide security for the shelter. In addition, the county will continue to work with FUMC Gastonia and to recruit and provide volunteers to staff the shelter.
“We are immensely grateful for Pastors Justin and Melissa Lowe and the entire team at First United Methodist Church of Gastonia for stepping up to provide this critical need,” Gaston County Assistant County Manager Steve Eaton said. “They truly have a heart for service, and their partnership is the perfect example of how local government and members of our community can work together to better serve those in need.”
The church will have cots and blankets available for overnight guests. Organizations like Gateway Gaston, HealthNet Gaston and the United Way of Gaston County are continuing to work to provide food, clothing and other essentials for the unhoused community.
If individuals or organizations would like to donate to support the work of the Cold Weather Shelter, they can do so through the United Way of Gaston County.
“Our collaboration with FUMC Gastonia and Gaston County demonstrates what can be accomplished when our community comes together to support our most vulnerable,” said Quentin McPhatter, assistant city manager of Gastonia. “We remain dedicated to working hand-in-hand with our various community partners in meeting this need.”
