County social services details ice-storm shelter, reports $903.24 cost and recognizes longtime donor

Social services staff reported that on Jan. 24, 2026, the county opened a public shelter in response to an ice storm after consulting with emergency management and the health department. The shelter opened at 6:00 p.m.; social services set up registration, a nurses' station and law-enforcement areas and provided food and supplies. Speaker 8 said the total cost from opening Saturday through Tuesday afternoon when the shelter closed was $903.24.

Speaker 8 explained that social services typically purchases food for shelters when school cafeterias are not available and that the county initially pays and then seeks reimbursement where appropriate; if an event is declared a FEMA event, FEMA may reimburse food costs. The health department (Megan Vick) described its role as providing first aid, environmental health inspections before opening, and monitoring the shelter population and reporting communicable diseases to the state.

The board also publicly thanked a local business owner, Nish Patel of the Parker Shop in Conway, who donated food (about 100 pieces of chicken, drinks and snacks) to the shelter. Speaker 8 presented a certificate on behalf of the Northampton County Commissioners and the Northampton County Department of Social Services to Patel and noted contributions to staffing and community support. Speaker 11 (finance) and other commissioners praised staff efforts during the storm.

At least one commissioner questioned whether relying on donated food is appropriate for shelters that serve residents; staff replied that social services purchases food when needed and turns receipts in for county reimbursement, and that partnerships with school cafeterias reduce purchases when schools open as shelter sites. The county manager and social services agreed to follow up on logistics and reimbursement processes.