PORT TOWNSEND – St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, through an Archdiocese of Seattle grant, has purchased camping gear and campsites at Jefferson County Fairgrounds to temporarily house homeless families.
The $4,500 Home Mission Stewardship Grant comes in the nick of time.
The winter homeless shelter will close after Saturday.
It’s supporters say it has fulfilled a successful first winter season in the basement of the American Legion hall at Water and Monroe Streets.
There, 50 different people have been given overnight shelter and meals since Dec. 10, helping them make it through the harshest period of winter.
“We’ve had people who have gotten employment because they were able to stay in one place and be stable for a short period of time,” said deForest Walker, housing resource manager with Olympic Community Action Programs.
“It makes a huge difference for people.”
OlyCAP, in partnership with Community Outreach Association Shelter Team, an interfaith collective of Port Townsend churches, and American Legion Post 26, helped finance and manage the facility for an agreed-to 90 days, ending this Saturday.
