CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 23, 2026) – As a major winter storm sweeps through the South toward the Carolinas, Salvation Army corps from the coast to the mountains in the Carolinas are scaling up their services to provide critical assistance.
“The Salvation Army has a long-standing commitment to being on the front lines when disaster strikes,” said Salvation Army of the Carolinas General Secretary Major Donnie Dohmann. “Because we are already deeply rooted in these communities, we understand their unique needs and are prepared to respond wherever and whenever we’re called.”
The organization is coordinating with county emergency management offices, state emergency personnel, and local officials across North Carolina and South Carolina to ensure a unified response.
In Morehead City, along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, The Salvation Army is opening a daytime warming shelter to provide safe refuge from dangerous conditions.
“We work hand-in-hand with our county emergency services, so when they requested a daytime warming shelter, we began planning right away,” said Lt. Susan Garland of The Salvation Army of Carteret County. “Everyone needs a warm, safe place during severe weather. We’re here and ready to serve for as long as we’re needed.”
The Salvation Army of Aiken, South Carolina, has expanded its emergency shelter capacity from 35 to 55 beds. Families are already seeking refuge—including a mother of two whose heat went out.
“I can’t have my babies in the cold another night,” she said. “Someone told me we would be safe if we came to The Salvation Army, and here we are. I am so grateful.”
The Aiken team is also preparing to deliver meals once roads become passable, drawing on experience gained during Hurricane Helene, when the organization served more than 22,000 meals.
“Once roads are safe, our teams will be out in the community delivering food to people who cannot get out,” said Capt. Michael Good. “We served more than 22,000 meals during Helene, and our dedicated team is ready to serve 22,000 more if that’s what our community needs.”
Though Carolina mountain communities are accustomed to harsh winter weather, officials recognize this storm poses risks to vulnerable residents. The Salvation Army is responding on multiple fronts: Asheville’s emergency shelter is expanding to 24-hour operations, a Hendersonville staff member will remain on-site around the clock ready to respond to requests from local emergency management officials, and in Waynesville, teams are distributing groceries and space heaters to help residents weather the storm at home.
Throughout the storm and in its aftermath, The Salvation Army will continue doing what it has done for more than a century—standing shoulder to shoulder with communities in their time of need.
