While it’s a couple weeks past their original scheduled time, the Hebron House of Hospitality’s Overflow Shelter in Waukesha will open its doors on Saturday.
The shelter, located at the former Northview Shelter, 1721 Northview Road, was scheduled to open Nov. 15, but due to a lack of funds it pushed its target date back to Dec. 1.
Although Cathy Malkani, director of development for Hebron House of Hospitality, said $33,000 is needed for it to stay open for three months, the $28,000 that has been raised so far was enough for the interim.
She is confident that they will be able to make up that difference to keep it open through February.
And in order to stay open through April, the month the shelter usually closes, it needs to get to the $55,000 mark.
In the meantime, though, Malkani is just happy that the men who have been staying out in the cold at nights can have a place to come at night.
“Luckily, the weather hasn’t been too horrible, but they’ve been stressed and worried,” Malkani said about the individuals who use the shelter.
The Overflow Shelter serves 35 men from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and was at capacity almost every night last year, Malkani said. Due to a lack of funds in 2011, the Overflow Shelter did not open until Dec. 15.
But the need is so great that some men even had to be turned away last year, Malkani explained. The shelter offers a warm bed, a hot meal, laundry facilities, showers and a breakfast.
“We’re very excited,” said Malkani, who explained it wouldn’t have been possible without a couple local businesses, who had never donated before, giving $2,000 to $3,000.
Not only was Malkani excited about the opening of the shelter, she was proud to announce that for the first time the shelter will allow men to stay on Christmas Day. She said there will be a brunch, bingo and gifts for the men to open.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Malkani said.
But she explained that in order for this to happen, the shelter is in need of new and unopened gifts such as flip-flops and other clothing items like socks, long underwear, boots, shirts and jackets. Gift certificates are also always welcomed, she said.
Volunteers are still needed as well.
If interested in helping on Christmas or looking to donate a gift to the shelter, contact Malkani at (262) 522-1403 or individuals can drop gifts off at the Hebron House of Hospitality’s main office at 111 E. Main St. (located inside St. Matthias Church).
To donate to the Overflow Shelter campaign, visit its website.