Salisbury’s Christian Shelter is bringing support and a family environment to residents

The holidays are a time for celebration and more importantly family, but that can be difficult when you have nowhere to turn.

In Salisbury, 47 ABC spoke with the Christian Shelter as their family environment is truly making a difference in people's lives.

The Christian Shelter has been open for 36 years now and currently serves up to 70 people at a time.

But none of that would be possible without the folks behind the scenes.

Pastor James Barnes is just one of those people making a difference. In fact, four of the administrative staff members, including Barnes, have been involved for over 10 years.

And one even used to be a resident there. She'a Terry tells 47 ABC, "You never know how life might take you or where life might be because I was displaced at one time and I was here from losing a business and when I came here, I was like I would like to get in that kitchen one day but never did I know, years later that I was going to be here. Now I say I'm going to retire from here."

Terry is now the shelter's cook and she showed us the kitchen where she says she creates food with her love.

Residents are served up two meals a day.

The shelter houses 12 beds for men, 14 for women, and now 13 family rooms.

Barnes tells us it used to be single men mostly occupying the shelter but now much more families are coming forward.

The shelter connects residents with more than just resources, they tell us they provide support and even a family.

Barnes says, "Anybody who doesn't have a place to live, calls or comes by and if we got a bed available they can get it."

Barnes tells us that the busiest time of year for them is during the summer but they do need donations year round, such as paper products, cleaning supplies, canned goods, milk, butter, and non perishable items.