Shelter Clients Need Donations
by Beth Brown Friday, Mar. 27, 2009 at 4:53 PM

Local homeless shelter set to close for overnight services by April 18. Donation drive necessary to provide basic material needs for homeless, who will return to sleeping outside.

Flagstaff—Flagstaff Shelter Services will be closing for overnight services on April 18. Closure will create a greater need for blankets, sleeping bags, and camping gear, since many shelter clients will be forced to return to sleeping outdoors. Todd Sherman, shelter director, notes that the shelter has handed out 450 blankets since the shelter opened in October 08. “It was lucky that February was warm. We are now down to under a dozen blankets in the warehouse,” Sherman said. The need for provisions will only increase in summer months, given that the overall homeless population in Flagstaff surges then, “and especially in the current economy,” he added. Between October 08 and February 09, the shelter provided 4,612 beds, turning away 443 people. Although the shelter will remain open for daytime services, including laundry and showers, it will stop overnight services on April 18, due to budget and building permit issues. Sherman and assistant shelter director, Terri Tupper, say that the long-term goal for the shelter is a permanent building with year-round overnight services.


In the short-term and in anticipation of basic material needs for Flagstaff’s spring and summer homeless population, Sherman and Tupper have planned a “donation day” for Saturday, April 4. They are appealing to the northern Arizona community to make this day a success by donating “anything that you might consider selling at a yard sale, damaged or not. In fact, we want it even if you’re not sure you can sell it,” Sherman said. “Our philosophy is not to hoard but to share. If our clients can’t use the donations, an abundance of women’s clothing for example, we will re-donate to other local organizations for quicker use by those in need.”


Flagstaff Shelter Services is located at 216 W. Phoenix, Flagstaff. Donation drop-offs are welcome, whether on “donation day,” Saturday, April 4, or at any other time. Shelter hours are: Mon. – Sun. around the clock, except from noon to 1:30 p.m. For more information about Flagstaff Shelter Services and to view the shelter’s “wish list,” visit: flagstaffshelterservices.org; also, see the group on facebook.

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