The two-year grant helps fund the daily operations of the shelter, said Dale Fitch, who previously served as an assistant director for the shelter and now works part-time for the Caring Kitchen. The shelter served 4,259 people last year alone throughout the region, he said.
About 160 clients stayed at the shelter last year, for an average of about 27 days per person, Fitch said.
“It will be used to help with the operations, things like staffing and also to make sure we have any of the extraneous needs we have with the ongoing day-to-day operation of the facility,” Fitch said of how the grant will be spent.
Statewide, about $18.7 million was made available to 50 agencies in Ohio to provide support and other services to homeless residents, according to information from the state. The funding is expected to provide assistance to more than 42,000 Ohioans.
“We couldn’t operate if we didn’t have the staffing we have because we need someone here 24 hours a day,” Fitch said. “Those individuals provide for the safety of the residents as well as taking care of any new individuals who come through our door.”
The agency uses a variety of funding sources, including grants as well as donations from residents and area businesses to provide its services, said Tara Jordan, assistant director at the shelter.
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