During the winter of 1981, three homeless men in the Charlotte, NC community died of exposure. This tragedy sparked the development of an Emergency Winter Shelter to be open from December through March to house homeless men when all other community shelters were full.

 The need has escalated so that the Men's Shelter and Emergency Winter Shelter combined their services in the Men's Shelter of Charlotte. The campus at 3410 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28206 is now open year around for up to 500 overnight guests and additional overflow guests during periods of inclement weather. Emergency shelter includes meal service, shelter, addresses basic needs, and all guests have access to the additional services offered through the shelter and community partners.

 Central United Methodist is one of dozens of congregations in the Charlotte faith community helping to staff the Shelter at check-in and meal times as well as making financial contributions to the service.