Cumberland County, NC — In response to expected below-freezing temperatures, Cumberland County, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville and local community organizations, has activated a White Flag shelter and multiple warming centers to provide safe, warm spaces for residents in need.
The White Flag shelter will operate on January 15–16 and January 18–19 at the Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center, located at 111 N. Bragg Boulevard in Spring Lake. The shelter will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., with intake available from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dinner and breakfast will be provided for guests. Shuttle service is available, with evening pickup at 5:00 p.m. from the Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center at 128 S. King Street and a morning return at 7:30 a.m. For additional information, residents may call 910-494-2715 or email treyct5@gmail.com.
Several warming centers will also be open from January 15 through January 19. Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers will be available during regular operating hours. The Fayetteville Area System of Transit lobby will be open during its regular schedule, which can be found at fayettevillenc.gov/transit.
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services Auxiliary Lobby will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but will be closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 19, in observance of the MLK holiday. The Cumberland County Department of Public Health First Floor Lobby will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will also be closed on weekends and on Monday, January 19.
All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations will serve as warming centers. Libraries will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Select locations, including Headquarters, Cliffdale Regional, Hope Mills Community, and North Regional libraries, will also be open Sunday, January 17, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 19, for the MLK holiday. More location details are available at cumberlandcountync.gov/library.
Additional warming locations include the Fayetteville Cares Day Resource Center, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with more information available at faycares.org. The Salvation Army of the Sandhills will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and when activated as a warming center, lunch will be served at noon and dinner at 5:00 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, older adults, and individuals who may not have reliable heat during this cold period. Pet owners are also urged to bring animals indoors to protect them from freezing temperatures.
