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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > January 14, 2009
Emergency grants help homeless shelters meet demands during deep freeze
Published January 14, 2009 - BizTimes Daily
Just as the coldest weather of the season hits metropolitan Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is making grants of $180,000 to 13 homeless shelters whose resources have already been stretched thin by the weather and the economy.
The foundation is providing an additional $25,000 to help shelters meet the need of the homeless when current space is exhausted and $20,000 to Community Advocates for a program that helps families avoid homelessness by providing funds for assistance with paying rent and utility bills.
In total, the foundation is immediately allocating $225,000 to help the homeless.
"Homeless shelters in metropolitan Milwaukee are at a critical point in providing services," said Jim Marks, vice president of programs for the foundation. "These dollars will be used right away by the agencies to strengthen their programs and to provide care for more individuals."
Homeless shelters receiving funding are: American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin, Cathedral Center, Community Advocates/Women's Center, Daystar, Guest House of Milwaukee, Hebron House of Hospitality, Hope House, Pathfinders, Repairers of the Breach, Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee, Sojourner Truth House, Walker's Point Youth and Family Center and the Women's Center-Waukesha.
Cindy Krahenbuhl, executive director of Guest House of Milwaukee, praised the timing of the grants.
"We want to make sure we can accommodate anyone who needs a place to sleep. We will be able to take people off our wait list and provide them with the shelter, food and clothing they need during this stretch of bitterly cold weather," Krahenbuhl said.
The funding is being allocated from the foundation's Basic Needs Fund, which was established to help local nonprofits meet basic food and shelter needs during the downturn in the economy.
Individuals and organizations can also support the fund by sending contributions to: The Basic Needs Fund, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, 1020 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Meanwhile, Braeger Automotive Group, 4100 S. 27th Street, is teaming with Hope House to offer free winter clothing for those in need. New clothing, with a total retail value estimated at more than $4,000, will be available to anyone who requires it at Hope House, 209 W. Orchard St.
The clothing includes coats, hats, gloves, long underwear and more.
"Despite our cold business climate, Braeger Automotive Group believes we all have an obligation to contribute to the warm-hearted spirit of generosity for which this city is known," said Todd Reardon, president of Braeger. "We at Braeger are fortunate to remain in a position where we can contribute to the well-being of this community, and it is both a pleasure and our responsibility to do so."
