KILLEEN, TX — Families in Crisis, a Program of Families in Crisis, Inc., is shutting its doors temporarily starting Saturday.
The shelter that hosts more than 75 people a night, will not be able to help anyone in the foreseeable future. The shelter broke the news to staff and community members on Tuesday.
The Director of Programs Suzanne Armour said it takes an estimated $1,000 a day to run the shelter, averaging $30,000 a month, all of which comes from donations.
Without enough funds, the facility that has been open since 2015, will shut its door temporarily for the first time come Saturday.
"We average about 75 people a night. Last year, we served just under 800 people for about 28,000 shelter nights. This has been a community driven effort since it was just an idea. The community has been very supportive of us, and now we really need them more than ever," said Armour.
Arsean Session, a man who came to Friends in Crisis seeking help in 2015, is a full-time employee of the shelter. He was visibly shaken by its temporary closing.
"You need places like this, because you would want somebody to pick you up, you would want somebody to give you a chance or give you an opportunity. So, helping is more than just an extension of what you can give, its a reminder of what you got," said Session.
Until the shelter gains necessary funding, it will be closed until further notice.
For information on donating, please call (254)-245-8269.
