Severe cold temperatures pose a serious risk for people who are unhoused, and local organizations are stepping up to provide relief. A warming center at the Bream Neighborhood SHOP on Charleston’s West Side has extended its hours from overnight service to operating 24 hours a day due to the extreme cold.
The center offers free meals and a safe place to rest and warm up. As of Sunday, more than 150 people had used the facility.
While the City of Charleston approves warming centers, community groups such as the Neighborhood SHOP, Kanawha Valley Collective, and United Way are responsible for operating them. Anyone without a safe or warm place to go is encouraged to visit the center on Washington Street.