The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas announced on Friday that it is providing a $10,000 matching grant to support The Gathering Place, a 90-day emergency cold-weather shelter located at Wesley House in Pittsburg. Wesley House and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), which together are organizing the temporary shelter, are seeking $50,000 in total funding. CFSEK’s grant will match the first $10,000 in community support for the shelter.
The overnight shelter couldn’t be more timely, as temperatures this week are projected to drop as low as -8° F, creating what CHC/SEK calls “a deadly crisis for those without shelter.”
“The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is proud to support the work that Wesley House, CHC/SEK, and our community are undertaking to address a critical need,” said CFSEK Executive Director Devin Gorman. “Our board wanted to take a proactive step and help lead the charge in fundraising for the shelter. We hope that by matching the first $10,000 in community donations our grant will inspire everyone to give this holiday season in support of The Gathering Place.”
Donations to the shelter can be made through the CHC/SEK website.