BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) — Dozens of people have to find a new place to live after the Battle Creek Shelter closed its doors Friday.
The shelter didn’t have the funding and the doors officially closed before the weekend. Now, it’s trying to find a place for approximately 200 people who used the facility.
Muskegon Rescue Mission, located about two hours away from the Battle Creek Shelter, stepped in to help. Its executive director said it is expecting 25 to 30 people to arrive over the next few days.
“We aren’t going to turn our back on them. Somebody is in trouble, needs help, come to our doors, we are here for you, we are here for you,” Dan Skoglund, Muskegon Rescue Mission’s executive director, said.
Skoglund also said it’s a difficult situation for everyone.
“They opened because there’s a need and so they’re heartbroken they are having to tell individuals that have nowhere to go you can’t stay here, and we’re sending you two hours away, that’s heartbreaking news to deliver,” he said.
Skoglund said at their shelters they’ll serve about 150,000 meals a year and in the last two months alone, the request for food has gone up by 100%.
If you would like to help, you can visit the shelter’s website to learn how.
