Shortfall could force men?s shelter in Ottumwa to close

OTTUMWA (AP) ? A soup kitchen and emergency shelter for homeless men in Ottumwa has until the end of the week to raise $3,500 or it will close, according to the community group that operates the shelter.

Yvonne Baldwin-Greene, the director of the Ottumwa Community Outreach Ministry, said the shelter requires $11,000 per month to operate but is several thousand dollars short, and that she?s hoping individuals, businesses and churches will reach out to help.

?That amount will feed 1,150 meals to whomever needs it, whether it?s men, women or kids,? Baldwin-Greene told the Ottumwa Courier for a story published Tuesday.

The soup kitchen opened in 2007 and serves about 1,300 meals each month. The shelter, which opened in 2009, has 20 beds. It had 11 men, including six veterans, staying there through Monday morning, when it closed at least temporarily. Baldwin-Greene said the men have found other places to live for now, but the shelter helps with as many needs as possible and is a resource for the community.

?Our target is to re-open in three months,? she said. ?If not, we?ll have to pay [grant] money back.?

Baldwin-Green said she learned of the shortfall last week. She said donations from the Veterans Administration had helped the shelter stay open, but that she doesn?t know when the VA might be able to give more money. She said she?s also loaned the shelter her own money to keep it open.

?I don?t want to see anyone on the street,? she said.

Businessmen Scott Pierce and Tom Palen said they are spreading the word and hoping they can supply the shelter with a washer, dryer and other needs.

Pierce helped the shelter open an emergency account at a local bank.

Palen said his father did a lot of things for Ottumwa, ?but this is the first time I?ve done this. It?s a mission for me now, and I?ll do my best to help.?