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Salvation Army requests $25,000 from Pitt County to open cold-weather shelter and summer cooling station
Summary
Lieutenant Michael Gallagher told commissioners the Salvation Army can convert its Greenville fellowship hall to host up to 20 cots on nights 36 degrees or below, and requested $25,000 to cover equipment, utilities and staffing for the first year.
Lieutenant Michael Gallagher and Lieutenant Jennifer Gallagher of the Salvation Army in Greenville asked the Pitt County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 to include a $25,000 request in the county’s budget to open a cold-weather shelter and operate summer cooling stations.
“On nights of 36 degrees or lower … we would provide up to 20 cots, hot meal, blankets, pillows, etc., and hot showers,” Lieutenant Michael Gallagher said, describing plans to convert the organization’s existing fellowship hall on Memorial Drive. He said the first-year money would buy cots, blankets and pillows, cover increased utilities, repair a broken ice machine used for cooling stations and fund a third-shift staff position to manage overnight operations.
The Gallaghers said the shelter would be low- to no-barrier, with the only exclusions being alcohol, drugs and weapons on the premises, and that they would partner with local groups including Joy’s Soup Kitchen and Community Crossroads to refer and inform people in need. They told the board the facility could provide expanded services beyond current mission station operations that already include meals, laundry and showers.
Commissioner Mulvaney disclosed she serves on the Salvation Army board and expressed support for the proposal. County staff said the $25,000 request will be included with other requests during the county’s budget process; final funding decisions will be made by the board later in the budget cycle.
No formal vote was taken on the request at the meeting; the Gallaghers were asked to submit their request for consideration during budget deliberations.
