Christian Shelter operates on ‘deficit’ ten months out of year

A tour of the Christian Shelter highlighted the growing problem of homelessness in the area and the challenges of tackling it.

Elected officials, including Salisbury Mayor Jake Day and District 37 Senator Addie Eckhart were invited Friday morning.

The Barclay Street building, which can take in 80 people, currently has a maximum capacity of about 50. Brother Jim Barnes of the shelter explains funds are needed in order to furnish and maintain additional rooms.

Shelter secretary David Downes says the second floor has the potential to hold more rooms. Downes explains it has a similar layout as the first floor, except it does not have a kitchen.

According to Barnes, it generally takes between 250,000 and 300,000 dollars annually to keep the shelter open; however, they operate on a deficit ten months out of the year.

We’re told the shelter relies solely on donations from the community and organizations.

The most challenging months, according to Downes, include the summer-time.

“People just aren’t thinking of homelessness in the summer, and I can understand that but it’s a double edged sword,” he says. “The need goes up and the funding goes down, so this is always a very difficult time of the year for the Christian Shelter.”

Aside from funds and donations, the shelter says volunteers are invaluable.

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