FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    Contact:

November 17, 2005                                       Janelle Simmons, 614.221.9195

 

 

SHELTERS NEED HELP MAKING WINTER BEDS

 

COLUMBUS, OHIO— As the weather has turned cold in Central Ohio and individuals who are homeless are faced with additional hardships, the area shelters are bracing themselves for the cold weather ahead and the increased demand for services that will come with it. 

 

Each year, the Community Shelter Board and its partner agencies develop and implement a “Winter Access” plan to meet the increased demand of services for single adults in need of shelter and housing placement.  Special services are needed to assure that no homeless person is turned away from shelter during cold winter months and to relieve over-crowding to assure that shelters operate within their functional capacity.  Winter Access services will provide additional safe, basic overnight and case management services from October 2005 through April 2006. 

 

The Community Shelter Board and its partner agencies are asking the people of Columbus and Franklin County for help this year by donating blankets, single bed linens, and towels to area shelters.  Any clean, gently used, or new linens, blankets, and towels are welcome.   If you would like to make a donation, please contact one of the agencies listed below.

 

Faith Mission

224-6617

Friends of the Homeless

253-2770

Homeless Families Foundation

461-9247

Maryhaven

449-1530

Volunteers of America

849-0145

YWCA Columbus

253-3910

YMCA of Central Ohio

224-1131

 

 The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration, and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve their housing crisis.  The Community Shelter Board allocates $8 million annually to support homeless programs and services.  Last year, these programs served more than 11,000 individuals.  The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.

 

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