St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room Transformed Into Overnight Shelter

Responding to homeless crisis and mounting deaths due to the heat in Phoenix, St. Vincent de Paul's charity dining room is being transformed into a temporary overnight shelter for about 100 homeless individuals. The non-profit community, together with state government and local businesses, are working together to staff and support this shelter.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) July 29, 2005 -- Responding to the need for additional overnight shelter for the homeless, the St. Vincent de Paul dining room at 9th Ave. and Madison will open from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. beginning tonight. This temporary measure will help ease the shortage of shelter space in the downtown area as the non-profit community, together with state government and local business leaders, work to find a more effective long-term solution.

We felt we had to take some immediate steps to respond to the needs of the homeless," said Steve Zabilski, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul. St. Vincent de Paul is just one small part of this effort."

Many organizations are pitching in to help support the opening of the temporary shelter. The American Red Cross will provide cots. The Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) and the Day Resource Center are working together to provide staffing and security. Both APS and the Arizona Department of Housing have each contributed $25,000 to help offset the added costs. Through the volunteer networks of Arizona Coalition to the Homeless and Andre House, various volunteers have come forth to provide on-site support.

The overnight shelter will be able to handle about 100 single homeless men and women. Each morning, the cots will be stored away and the space returned to its normal dining room function. Lunch for upwards of 850 homeless individuals will continue to be served from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each day.

Donations of water, sports drinks, sunscreen, white t-shirts, socks and underwear are a continuing urgent need due to the heat. Donations can be dropped off at the St. Vincent de Paul dining room, The Day Resource Center or CASS.

The St. Vincent de Paul dining room is located at 119 S. 9th Ave; The Day Resource Center at 101 W. Jefferson; and CASS at 1209 W. Madison.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a non-profit organization, dedicated to serving the poor and providing others with the opportunity to serve. Programs include services for the homeless, the incarcerated and their families, medical/dental care for the working poor, five charity dining rooms, thrift stores, a transitional housing shelter and general assistance for individuals in need in central and northern Arizona.

Contacts:

Susan de Queljoe (SVdP)                

O: 602-261-6805

C: 602-430-8852

Terry Boyer

Day Resource Center

O: 602-393-9932 x 11

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