Fayetteville Today

A Fayetteville church has partnered with Cumberland County to make sure people who are without homes have a safe place to stay, something that was more important the past few days as temperatures stayed well below freezing overnight.

The partnership was especially urgent, as the county commissioners voted recently to ban campsites on county property, a move designed to keep people off the streets in the frigid weather.

"We look at the people who come into our facility as our guests,” Ernest Jones, pastor of True Vine Ministries, told ABC 11 News. “We want to show them love. We want to let them know that there are people here that are concerned about you."

By designating True Vine a "white flag" shelter, the county is looking to provide support to those living on the street who are in danger of suffering in the cold.

People can be cited and forced to move if they're reported for staying on county-owned property, which is why leadership at True Vine and the county board are encouraging people to take advantage of the beds, free meals, showers and counseling services at the church's gym on Morganton Road.

"We don't want to lose one life to inclement weather,” Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart told ABC 11 News. “I am hoping that not one citation is given because of inclement weather. Please take advantage of the resources that the county has offered."

The county is partnering with True Vine until the end of March 2023, which will help ensure the homeless have shelter as an option. Both sides said they are prepared to revisit the agreement and extend sheltering services if freezing temperatures continue beyond the end of March.