Memphis Family Finds Refuge at Warming Center During Winter Storm

Staff stepped up to provide necessities after initial shortages at the Ed Rice Community Center.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31pm

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A Memphis family, including a 12-year-old, 9-year-old, and 1-year-old, spent seven days at the Ed Rice Community Center warming center after their vehicle broke down during a winter storm. The family initially faced limited supplies like shelf-stable snacks and bottled water, but the staff went above and beyond, cooking meals at their own homes and bringing them to the center to feed the displaced residents.

Why it matters

The story highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable populations during extreme weather events, as well as the importance of community-based emergency response efforts. It also raises questions about the preparedness and resource allocation of official warming centers in Memphis.

The details

Gerald Driver, his wife, and their three children were stranded in Frayser after their vehicle broke down. They spent a week sleeping on the floor of the Ed Rice Community Center, which was operating as a 24-hour warming center. The center initially had limited supplies, relying on shelf-stable snacks and bottled water. However, the staff went above and beyond, coordinating with other centers and even cooking meals at their own homes before bringing them to the center to feed the displaced residents.

  • On Friday, the Driver family began staying at the Ed Rice Community Center warming center.
  • As of Wednesday, January 28, the family had been at the center for seven days.

The players

Gerald Driver

A Memphis father who, along with his wife and three children, spent a week at the Ed Rice Community Center warming center after their vehicle broke down during a winter storm.

Ed Rice Community Center

A community center in Frayser, Memphis that was operating as a 24-hour warming center during the winter storm.

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What they’re saying

“We ain't here looking for nothing free. Just going through hard times. Going through hard times.”

— Gerald Driver (localmemphis.com)

“We slept on the floor from Friday 'till today. Me and my wife, a 12-year-old, 9-year-old, and a 1-year-old.”

— Gerald Driver (localmemphis.com)

“Since Friday, the only thing the staff had ... were: tortilla chips, beef sticks and fruit cups. Oh, and queso cheese dip. That's what we were surviving off of; and bottled waters.”

— Gerald Driver (localmemphis.com)

“They didn't have to do that. They cooked it at their home. Then they came here and used the stove here and bought their own food and made meals for us.”

— Gerald Driver (localmemphis.com)

What’s next

The city of Memphis is continuing to operate seven community centers and 14 libraries as warming centers, and is working to ensure all centers are fully stocked with necessary supplies.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of community-based emergency response efforts and the dedication of local staff in supporting vulnerable populations during extreme weather events, even when official resources may be initially limited.