Warming Shelter of Franklin County Opens for Season
The Redwood Outreach Center shelter in Rocky Mount welcomes people experiencing homelessness as temperatures begin to drop.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Forecasts
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The Warming Shelter of Franklin County opened for the season at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3001 Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount. The shelter, operated at the Redwood Outreach Center in partnership with Redwood United Methodist, offers a warm place to sleep, meals, and basic necessities for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Why it matters
Falling temperatures raise the risk of cold-weather exposure for people without stable shelter, making a warm overnight option important for Rocky Mount and surrounding Franklin County residents. The opening provides a local safety net at the start of the cold season.
The shelter opening time of 6 p.m. and street address of 3001 Old Franklin Turnpike are confirmed in the announcement, but capacity and operating hours beyond opening were not published.
The players
Holland Perdue
Holland Perdue is the Mayor of Rocky Mount, Virginia, who announced the shelter's opening on Facebook.
Redwood United Methodist
Redwood United Methodist is a church that partners with the Redwood Outreach Center to run the Warming Shelter of Franklin County.
The details
Rocky Mount Mayor Holland Perdue announced the opening on Facebook, noting support from many volunteers and community partners. Regina Fralin, Executive Director of Redwood United Methodist, is connected to the partnership that runs the shelter.
Timeline
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 6 p.m.: Warming Shelter of Franklin County opens for the season.
Seasonal Patterns
The shelter's seasonal opening extends the Redwood Outreach Center's existing partnership with Redwood United Methodist into the cold months. It follows the pattern of winter warming shelters that open as overnight temperatures begin to fall in Southwest Virginia.
Residents who need a warm place to sleep can go to the Warming Shelter of Franklin County at 3001 Old Franklin Turnpike in Rocky Mount, which opened at 6 p.m. on November 14, 2026. The shelter also provides meals and other basic necessities.
The takeaway
Cold-weather shelters like this one give people experiencing homelessness a warm, safe option when temperatures fall. Checking local shelter openings early in the season helps residents and neighbors connect people with help sooner.
Further reading
For seasonal cold-weather outlooks, see the Forecasts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSLS.
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