North Carolina could see a cold and snowy winter this year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s predictions. Cumberland County is preparing by asking organizations to provide temporary shelter services during white flag days — when temperatures or wind chills are forecasted at or below 32 degrees.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and dignity of our residents during the harshest winter nights,” Veronica Jones, vice chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, said in a press release. “This RFP [request for proposals] is an opportunity for community partners to come together and support those most in need.”
Last winter, from Nov. 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, Cumberland County had about 55 white flag days. On those days, white flag shelter services were provided by True Vine Ministries’ J Center and the Salvation Army of the Sandhills’ Pathway to Hope shelter in Fayetteville, and Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center in Spring Lake.
The county expects to have no more than 50 white flag days between December and March 2026, according to the request for proposals.
Currently, only Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center has a contract with the county to provide white flag shelter services this season, Heather Skeens, assistant county manager, told CityView. The Salvation Army of the Sandhills closed its shelter in April, and True Vine Ministries decided not to provide white flag services this year, Skeens said.
Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center only provides white flag services to single men and women, leaving the county in need of a service that serves families with children, Skeens said.
Potential providers are asked to identify the population eligible for their shelter services and whether there are any additional barriers to entry, like criminal background checks or sobriety.
They must also provide food, showers, cots, linens and bathrooms for shelter users. Transportation to a designated pickup and return location is also required. For example, Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center picks up residents from the Fayetteville Day Resource Center on S. King Street at 6 p.m. and returns them to the center the following morning at 6:30 a.m.
Proposals should also include a budget to provide services, specifying the cost per person, per night, and the maximum number of beds available. Other requirements are listed on the county’s Vendor Self Service site.
The county will award providers based on the best overall value of the services offered, pending availability of funds and approval by the board of commissioners, according to the request for proposals. Skeens said the number of providers selected depends on how many respond and where they are located.
Organizations have until 3 p.m. on Sept. 23 to submit any questions about the request for proposals to Skeens at hskeens@cumberlandcountync.gov. The county is also hosting an interest meeting at 707 Executive Place on Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. to provide another opportunity to answer questions.
Applications are due by 3 p.m. on Oct. 3, and should be emailed to Skeens with the subject line “RFP 2025 – White Flag Shelter.”
CityView Reporter Morgan Casey is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Morgan’s reporting focuses on health care issues in and around Cumberland County and can be supported through the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville.