STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Local leaders and volunteers moved quickly to expand shelter options for unhoused people in Staunton on Friday.

Officials say that late Friday afternoon, they learned that the WARM shelter was expected to reach capacity for the week due to increased demand ahead of the storm. By 6:30 a group of about 14 community members convened on a last-minute call to determine how to respond, including the Director of Community Engagement for the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, Chris Lassiter.

By 11am Saturday, the Central United Methodist Church had been converted into an emergency low-barrier snow shelter and donations of food, cots, and blankets poured in. Pastor Won Un helped mobilize the effort while Mary Baldwin University students volunteered their time.