The former site of a lumber company is about to become the new home of Ministry With Community’s downtown daytime shelter for the homeless and poor.
They broke ground on the new facility on North Edwards Street on Thursday, just north of the railroad tracks. Campaign co-manager Jack Hopkins said a $6 million dollar fundraising goal was reached.
“That will take care of some long-term projects down the road, and we’ve got another $50,000 challenge grant that every new gift will be matched by that,” campaign co-manager Jack Hopkins said.
Rob Oakleaf, the operations director, said their next goal is to have it open in less than a year.
“Hopefully, we’ll have our doors open, at the latest, by July, but it could be as early as May, depending on how construction goes,” Oakleaf said.
They say the new facility will give them the programming space, and will allow them the carry out their work in a more-productive way.
– John McNeill
