Myrtle Beach homeless shelter ‘open for all’ as area experiences severe storm surges

A Myrtle Beach homeless shelter is opening the doors for all on Friday as Hurricane Ian batters South Carolina coasts, making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane.

New Directions, Myrtle Beach’s nonprofit homeless shelter, issued a “code blue” on Thursday due to the severe weather expected.

Kathy Jenkins, CEO of New Directions, said that a “code blue” means opening the doors for anyone living on the streets to get into the women’s shelter or men’s shelter. On Friday morning, the men’s shelter had 131 people inside, 28 of which came into the shelter last night.

Jenkins, who was assisting with the men’s shelter, said the nonprofit is prepared for the storm’s impacts on those experiencing homelessness.

“We’re making sure everybody is taken care of and that we’ve got plenty of staff here,” Jenkins said.

While the women’s and men’s shelters are still taking in people, Jenkins said that the organization had a “full house” on Friday.

Other nonprofits in Myrtle Beach are also making changes due to Hurricane Ian’s impact.

Community Kitchen, a nonprofit that serves breakfast and lunch on Mr. Joe White Avenue, had higher traffic than usual early Friday morning. People experiencing homelessness lined up through the facility for breakfast.

Lisa Greene, kitchen manager at the kitchen, said that the staff was prepared to serve all day on Friday. Typically, the kitchen closes at 9 a.m. and reopens back at 11 a.m. Greene said that because of the weather, the facility would stay open for lunch as well.

“We’re short staffed, but we have our ‘A’ team here,” Greene said.

Out of all counties in South Carolina, Horry County had the highest population of homeless people in 2020, with 589 unsheltered out of 807 total.

This story was originally published September 30, 2022 at 2:41 PM.