Holy Family priest to stay on roof to raise funds for Holy Family Warming Shelter, raise awareness about homelessness

The Holy Family Warming Shelter is taking its efforts to raise awareness about homelessness and funds for the shelter’s upcoming season to new heights! On Tuesday, November 18, Holy Family Associate Pastor, Rev. Matthew Kirk, will bundle up and spend the day atop the Holy Family Warming Shelter roof to spotlight homelessness in the area and the shelter’s mission to care for those experiencing it.

The Holy Family Warming Shelter opened in November 2023 to offer those experiencing homelessness a warm place to sleep, a good meal to eat, access to hygiene services and community resources, and compassionate care. Every night from November 1 to April 30, the shelter can serve up to 36 single adults. In the 2024-2025 season, with the help of 145 volunteers, the shelter served more than 100 guests, provided 1,440 to-go meals, and served 19,440 meals.

When describing the difference the Holy Family Warming Shelter made in their lives, one guest said, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. The shelter has made a huge impact in my life. Every day I leave energized and have a safe place to come home to. I know that I have you guys and the community in my corner. For the first time, I have a family that cares.”

When the shelter opens its doors for the 2025-2026 season this November, staff estimates that it will cost approximately $35 per guest per night to operate. Taking into account 36 guests over 180 nights, this cost amounts to more than $220,000.

“The operational costs of one shelter season are significant, especially if it is in the hands of just one organization. That is why we are so blessed to have the continued support of our community. We can best help our neighbors in need when we work

together,” Holy Family Catholic Community Director of Human Concerns Erin Cobb said.

Holy Family Catholic Community Associate Pastor Matthew Kirk will seek to raise 25% of the shelter’s annual budget, $55,000, when he climbs onto the Holy Family Warming Shelter’s roof on Tuesday, November 18 for Reverend on the Roof, presented by Ahern Gross Plumbing, Ledgevest Financial, and Uecker-Witt Funeral Home & Cremation Center. This amount will help the shelter to provide a safe and stable sanctuary for approximately seven guests for the duration of the season.

Rev. Kirk will stay up on the roof from 10:00 am until the goal is met, or until 5:00 pm when the shelter opens. During this time, for a donation, the community will have opportunities to send Rev. Kirk warm items, food, drinks, and comforts, as well as bathroom passes. While people are encouraged to stop by the shelter that day to make their donation, the fundraiser is already accepting donations online at hffdl.org/roof. All donations made between now and November 18 will go towards the fundraising goal.

“My experience on the roof of the shelter is a small way we can remind the public of the experience of our neighbors who don’t have any place to go,” Rev. Kirk said. “Of course, there are major differences. I will be on the roof in the cold for one day for a matter of hours, while those experiencing homelessness must deal with it daily. When we hit our fundraising goal, I’ll get to go home somewhere warm. Without shelters, that is not guaranteed for our neighbors. They may have to sleep on the streets, in cars, or in unsafe situations just to stay warm. That is what makes places like the Holy Family Warming Shelter so important. They can be lifesaving.”

Several businesses and organizations have already stepped forward to support the event. Ahern Gross Plumbing, Ledgevest Financial, and Uecker-Witt Funeral Home & Cremation Center are presenting sponsors of the event. A different local business/organization will match donations each hour from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

As of October 17, hourly sponsors include: C.D. Smith, Society Insurance, Holiday Automotive, Summit Automotive, Twohig Family Dentistry, and Capelle Bros. & Diedrich Inc., as well as shared hourly sponsors Gilles Frozen Custard and Mercury Marine, and Adashun Jones Real Estate and the Knights of Columbus of Fond du Lac.

“We are thankful for the organizations and businesses that have pledged their support to Reverend on the Roof and to helping us ensure we can offer our shelter guests the best care this coming season,” Cobb said.

The fundraiser will take place during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, November 16-22, which seeks to draw attention to the issues of homelessness and hunger in our communities. As part of Reverend on the Roof, staff will be joined by community leaders throughout the day to discuss homelessness in Fond du Lac County and efforts to respond. The public will also have the opportunity to take tours of the shelter and learn more about how they can get involved.

“This provides a great opportunity for us to bring together those who are working to address homelessness in our area, and to share the reality of what those in need are facing, and how we are working together to try to assist them,” Cobb said.