ASHEVILLE - Asheville's Salvation Armyis pausing its shelter services starting in November because it lacks funding to continue.
Salvation Army Center of Hope leadership hopes to resume shelter services in May if it can acquire the funding necessary to continue, Center of Hope resident manager Calvin Harris told the Citizen Times Aug. 10.
Capt. Phillip Stokes, who directs the shelter with his wife, Sherrie Stokes, told the Citizen Times July 2 that the shelter relies on donations, which have "dropped tremendously."
In addition, American Rescue Plan Act funds that the shelter depended on for the last two years have run out, and the shelter was also financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and by Tropical Storm Helene, Stokes said at the time.
Hinkle said that Phillip and Sherrie Stokes are spending the next few months speaking with organizations that could help fund the shelter.
"Right now, grants, they're few and far between," Hinkle said.
The shelter needs $90,000 a month, or over $1 million a year, to operate, Stokes said.
Stokes said in July that the shelter shutdown could be permanent if he and his wife cannot find funding to continue its operations.
Local donations are only bringing in around $300,000 a year, which is not enough to operate, Stokes said.
"Once we find funding, of course, we'll go right back to helping people get off the street," Hinkle said.
Shelter staff started working in July to place its around 40 residents in permanent housing by Sept. 30.
Kara Fohner is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com or call her at 980-241-8671.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Salvation Army to pause shelter services in November as funds run out
