Temperatures are starting to drop, but not everyone in the Lowcountry has a warm place to go home to this holiday season. Thankfully, the City of Charleston Warming Center at the Arthur W. Christopher Community Center (265 Fishburne St.) will operate on cold nights from November until March to support those who are experiencing homelessness. When the weather in the city hits 30 degrees or major inclement weather takes place, the warming center will officially open. The center will provide shelter, cots, pillows, blankets + dinner and breakfast. The city is asking those who have the time and resources to lend a helping hand to help the warming center operate.
The shelter, which will be able to house up to 80 people within recommended CDC guidelines for congregate sheltering during COVID-19, is currently accepting volunteers + financial assistants. Those who serve as financial assistants are people in the community who would like to donate funds to help purchase materials + food for the center. To assist with operations, individuals, community clubs, religious groups, and other organizations are encouraged to sign up to be volunteers on call for a week during the winter season.
What do you need to know about being a volunteer? Volunteers will be divided into two to four hour shifts and will receive training to support the warming center by taking a role in set-up, registration, meal prep + distribution, and clean up.
City officials have confirmed that COVID-19 protocols such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, mandatory masks and isolation areas will be in place for the safety of the volunteers and guests.
Email Christopher Jardin here or call 843-577-1305 to sign up for more information. You can also visit the city’s website here to learn more about how you can help others this holiday season.
