New Fond du Lac Warming Shelter Readies To Open With Help Of Community

As the county’s new warming shelter prepares to open in less than a week, the Fond du Lac community is rallying together to support it and those experiencing homelessness in our area.

This summer, Holy Family Catholic Community along with many local organizations, agencies and local government representatives began to meet to discuss how they could address the issue of homelessness in the Fond du Lac area. Through these conversations and those within the parish, Holy Family decided to open the Holy Family Warming Shelter.

Since late September, renovations have been underway at the site of the new Holy Family Warming Shelter, 73 E. First St. — a location that is easily accessible by public transit and a short distance from many of the city’s agencies and services. Work was needed to convert the space from offices into a shelter, which can provide warmth and safety to up to 30 people each night. Construction is now nearly complete, as crews continue to install security features, technology, and needed equipment before the shelter opens on Wednesday, November 15.

Throughout the process, people from both the parish and throughout Fond du Lac County have stepped up to offer their assistance by volunteering, donating meals and items, or making financial contributions.

As of October 25, the warming shelter had received more than $208,000 in donations from community partners including Ascension Lutheran, Celebration Assembly, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, Fond du Lac Area Foundation, Fond du Lac County United Way, Holiday Automotive, J. F. Ahern, Loaves and Fishes, Mercury Marine, Open Circle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, SSM Health, Stone Foundation, Inc. and Trinity Baptist Church, in addition to many anonymous donors. Individual donations, including those from Holy Family parishioners, total over $137,000. Parishioners also contributed nearly 1,500 pairs of socks through the parish’s sock drive, technology like computers, and donations from the shelter’s list of needed items.

Dozens of community partners have helped to spread the word about the warming shelter, as well as registered to donate a meal or volunteer throughout the warming shelter season. Many have also held drives to collect donations for the shelter.

This month, Culver’s on East Johnson Street, the Fond du Lac Family YMCA, Fond du Lac County United Way , and Holy Family will sponsor a Community Clothing Drive, which will collect adult men’s and women’s winter boots, long underwear, and underwear for the warming shelter. From November 15-30, people can drop off new donations at Culver’s at W6606 State Road 23, the YMCA, 90 W. Second St, and the Holy Family Parish Office, 271 Fourth Street Way. All donations will be given to the guests of the warming shelter throughout the season.

Organizations and businesses have also offered their skills, knowledge, and resources to the shelter. Holy Family is collaborating with several nonprofits, including the YMCA and Fond du Lac Public Library, which have allowed the parish to use their space to pre-register Warming Shelter guests. The YMCA will also provide showers to the guests during the shelter’s season as the Holy Family Warming Shelter will not be able to offer showers until further renovations are completed in 2024. Fond du Lac County United Way, St. Vincent de Paul of Fond du Lac County, St. Katharine Drexel Shelter/Solutions Center, Oshkosh’s Day By Day Shelter and the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac County have also assisted, providing valuable information and resources for setup, operations and staffing.

“The outpouring of support we have received from all ends of the Fond du Lac community has been incredible. Addressing homelessness requires the effort of more than one person or group, and it has been a blessing to have people answer this call as they have,” Holy Family Catholic Community Director of Human Concerns Erin Cobb said.

The shelter is set to open on Wednesday, November 15, and will be open each day from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. through the end of April. While guests of the shelter have the ability to pre-register to utilize the shelter, they can also register at the shelter once it is open. Up to 30 people will be able to stay at the shelter each night, where they will receive dinner and breakfast.

Those interested in supporting the shelter are invited to volunteer or to donate. Information on volunteering, as well as a list of needed items for the shelter can be found at hffdl.org/warming-shelter. All donations can dropped off at the Holy Family Catholic Community Parish Office, 271 Fourth Street Way. The shelter is very grateful for the donations of blankets and bedding it has received. At this time, it has reached its capacity for those items and can no longer accept them.