Money is drying up, so overnight shelter in Racine is forced to shut down

RACINE (WITI) -- It's been an up and down year for one Racine overnight homeless shelter. Funding to keep that portion going is hardly a sure thing. Now, the director of St. Luke's Hospitality Center and Overnight Shelter says it will have to stop the service.

On any given night, 25 to 30 people lay down mats on the floor at St. Luke's. Every person there has recently been dealt a blow.

"There will be some of our brothers and sisters who are homeless and or who are again calling the streets home," said Kevin Stewart, shelter director.

The shelter is running out of money. It will still be providing meals and other services. But it will soon end its overnight shelter later this month. The cost of fuel and electricity is the main reason the church cannot afford keeping the overnight shelter open.Instead of cutting back, Stewart would rather see the church grow.

"My dream is 24-7, so we can provide friendship and food and safety and shelter around the clock," said Stewart.

But Stewart says it'll take community-wide support. Stewart is now asking the public to attend a March 24th meeting at Gateway Technical College in Racine. The meeting is set to take place at 6:30 p.m.