With a low of 26 Friday morning and a low of 21 on Saturday morning, the freezing plan continues here in Acadiana. The need to help our homeless under these temperatures is greater than ever, and emergency funding is needed.
“Going into this freeze, we thought we would be sheltering about 300, and it turns out we’re actually housing about 500 households across Acadiana, so the need has risen,” says ARCH Executive Director Leigh Rachal.
Rachal said 500 households, which means an estimated 700 people, are in need of shelter. But to house those people carries a pretty hefty price tag: $200,000.
Half of that funding will come from the federal government, and people like you are helping the Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homeless and Housing bring down that number even more. “So, we’re Asking the community for about $100,000,” adds Rachal. And with the community being so generous, “We’re now looking at $30,000 to $40,000 to meet that goal.”
Started at $200,000; cut it in half; then cut the need in half once again. All donations will pay for the dozen hotels that are supplying shelter, but there’s still that call out to a generous population in ARCH’s eight parishes. “People just respond, with their financial donations, their prayers, and their overall calls of concern. It’s been beautiful,” smiles Rachal.
Now, there’s still the 30-or-40-thousand yet to be raised? And how can you contribute? How can you help ARCH close that financial gap?
“Anyone wishing to donate can go to bit.ly/supportARCH.”
And if you can’t make a financial donation? There are other ways to help. ARCH has a great Homeshare Blanket project, blankets which will be put to good use now and throughout the year.
To contribute to the ARCH Homeless Funding, visit bit.ly/supportARCH.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
