Two local nonprofit agencies — Love Chapel Ministries and United Way 2-1-1 of South Central Indiana — aim to wrap up special, year-end fundraising campaigns either today or later this month.
Love Chapel Ministries has nearly reached its financial goal of $50,000 for its first-ever 50 For 50 drive for Brighter Days emergency shelter, according to Elizabeth Kestler, Love Chapel executive director. But organizers still are in desperate need of about 50 more shelter volunteers.
The need for funds and volunteers is to help boost shelter staffing. So money will help cover more employees. And more volunteers will help fill two-hour gaps at the facility, according Kestler.
Organizers of the fund drive will allow people to donate after the original deadline of today, she said.
Brighter Days, a partnership between Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson’s office and Love Chapel, opened in September 2016.
The shelter, in a renovated former Columbus Township fire truck maintenance facility at 421 S. Mapleton St., has a 36-bed capacity, but also has cots available if needed. Kestler said that the facility most recently has been housing an average of 36 people per night.
In the other fundraiser, United Way of Bartholomew County recently launched a campaign with a $40,000 goal for United Way 2-1-1 of South Central Indiana. The campaign currently stands at nearly $30,000 according to Kyle Hendricks, marketing and communications coordinator for United Way of Bartholomew County.
“We are thankful for the community response,” Hendricks said, “and hopeful to see more donations come in before the new year.”
The reason for the added financial need is a 30 percent rise in calls to the information and referral agency, said Mark Stewart, United Way of Bartholomew County president. Staffers have fielded more than 17,000 calls this year, according to agency statistics.
Many of those additional calls are from struggling people on a fixed income of about $700 per month, Stewart said. Additional call volume is also coming from people seeking to help by donating items or volunteering.
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- To donate to Love Chapel’s campaign for Brighter Days: lovechapel-bartholomew.org
- To donate to the United Way 2-1-1 of South Central Indiana campaign: uwbarthco.org
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