A steady need for shelter for the homeless in our community continues. “By establishing our first office site in the Backus Community Building, we are striving to improve our outreach to persons in need of shelter in 2015,” reports Servants of Shelter Board president, Pat Bjorum.
Currently leasing a two-bedroom apartment allows us to serve families in need and was a priority in our strategic planning. Working with community members and other organizations we were able to find a location and furnishings. So many generous donors make this possible — we want to let everyone know that their financial and in kind contributions are well managed.
SOS received its nonprofit designation from the IRS in 2013, making contributions tax deductible. Since 2009, SOS has been able to maintain essentially an all-volunteer organization. It has, however, been part of our long-range plan to employ a part time executive director to oversee the day to day operation of SOS. Our office at Backus is the first step in this goal. Throughout September, we will be advertising for a person to become our first executive director. We are confident that the right person, with a heart for serving the homeless, is available in our community.
Treasurer Jennifer Stevens noted that through donations of generous individuals, financial assistance provided by grants, and in kind giving, SOS is in a position to move forward in search of an interim part time executive director. The SOS board stresses that they will still be dependent upon the irreplaceable contributions of volunteer time. Since Servants of Shelter began as a task force committee, this project has had a heart and direction of its own. This generous community has made that possible.
Board meetings are conducted at noon on the third Thursday of each month in the SOS office, Room 212 of Backus. Meetings are open to the public. The office is open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Persons interested in learning more about SOS should feel free to stop in during those hours and visit with the volunteer on duty or to speak with any of the board members.
Current board members include Jennifer Stevens, Derek Lunser, Emily Flansberg, Dianne Briggs, Pat Bjorum, Melanie Mattson, Tom Iffert, Cynthia Warren and Paula Valentine.
