The Open Door homeless shelter in Junction City needs funding assistance.

The financial difficulties being encountered surfaced during County Commission discussion this week. Commission Chair Ben Bennett said one reason for the financial difficulty is that the Open Door is not receiving a lot of funding from the churches that helped establish the operation. “The Ministerial Alliance went together several years ago and formed the Open Door as an emergency shelter for people who find themselves without  a home, without a place to live, and without a job.”

Bennett added the idea was to have a place for people to come to, and help them and require them to secure employment.

The County provides $12,000 per year for the facility to help pay utilities. The Commission will look into other funding possibilities.

Open Door Director Flora Lewis informed JC Post they have just made payroll, which averages about $4,000 per month. There is only $2,000 remaining in the checking account, but there are some state emergency solutions grant funds that will be received. “We get the ESC grant, but I have to submit a report and then we get that money. But it just depends on what our bills are for the month as to how much I will get back. The upcoming one is probably only going to be about $3,000.

When asked if the Open Door is in danger of having to close, Lewis responded, “I hope not. I really hope not. Right now we’re working paycheck to paycheck.”

Lewis confirmed there are discussions under way between her board of directors and the Ministerial Alliance on the situation.