With shelter flooded, Fayetteville homeless seek warmth in temporary dorm

In Cumberland County, where the Salvation Army's downtown Fayetteville dormitory was flooded by Hurricane Matthew, leaders are making contingency plans and working to let the needy know they have a place to go to get out of the cold.

"The Salvation Army's goal is to insure that the folks we serve are safe," said Capt. Matt Trantham. "And we've coordinated a winter weather shelter plan in which the Salvation Army will house up to 30 individuals in our gymnasium."

They've also teamed with Operation Inasmuch, True Vine Ministries and other churches, to run a van service to locate and bring in from the cold those who have nowhere else to go.

The hope is to shelter those who otherwise would be staying in tents in empty lots and under bridges.

A man who identified himself as "Catfish" said he planned to take advantage of the Salvation Army dorm, and he hopes his buddies will too.

"There are going to be some probably staying out here," he said. "I usually go check on them but, you know, I hope they got sense enough to get in, man. Honestly, it's going to be bad."

There will be more beds next month, when Operation Inasmuch opens a planned shelter that will house 40 men and help them find jobs. Until that time, Catfish and his friends will be shuttled to the Salvation Army's temporary dormitory.