Shelter searching for new home

It helps thousands of people in need each year, but now one shelter in DeKalb County is finding itself in need. Shelter Ministries is searching for a new home for its food and clothing bank in Auburn.

"We definitely need a new home," Shelter Care manager Chris Swanson told NewsChannel 15.

The McIntosh School at 800 South Main Street has been home to the food and clothing bank for the past ten years, but it won't be for much longer.

"They have decided to tear down the McIntosh School Building. It's an old building and it takes a lot of maintenance to keep it up," explained Swanson.

Tearing down the school, means the shelter's lease will be terminated, and the timing couldn't be worse.

Swanson says more people than ever are coming in to the shelter to look through the shelves and racks for food and clothing.

"The month of June we served 238 families, that was almost 800 individuals. There were 24 new families the month of June who had never been here before," said Swanson. "So far in July, not counting last week, we've had 28 new families, so the need is increasing."

Food and clothing bank volunteer Iola Winslow agrees. "What I see firsthand is, people are so grateful. You know they're here because they have to be here. So many of them have children," Winslow told NewsChannel 15.

Right now the food and clothing bank has about 2,000 square feet for all its donations. Shelter officials would like to see the new home have double the space.

Winslow says, "Sometimes, especially when people are bringing things in, we don't hardly have enough room to get in and work and put it up."

But, the hope is double the space won't mean double the rent. The DeKalb Central School Board rented the space to Shelter Ministries for about $250 dollars a month. Swanson says the shelter can't afford much more.

"We work on a budget which like everyone's budget is fairly limited and so the more we pay for rent, the less we have to provide things we can give away," explained Swanson.

The shelter plans to stay put as long as it can, which Swanson says will probably just be the next couple of months.

"What we're really hoping is someone kind-hearted will just donate a new spot for us. And, we'll keep serving as long as we can."

While the shelter searches for a new home, the food and clothing bank is open for business and still accepting donations.

If you can help, call 260-925-9200.

A tax credit is available for any donated space.