 | COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release: December 13, 2010 For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 |
City Council, Anonymous Donor Support Community Shelter Board
Council President Mentel’s initiative inspires more giving in community
(Columbus)— While Columbus City Council is scheduled to vote on emergency funding for the Community Shelter Board (CSB) later this evening, the generosity of an anonymous donor is matching the city’s efforts to address the unprecedented spike in demand for shelter services this winter. According to the Columbus Foundation, the donor, who is described as a “self-made, community minded” individual, has pledged to match a $300,000 grant to CSB if City Council approves the legislation this evening. Council President Michael C. Mentel will be introducing ordinance 1818-2010 and expects unanimous support from his colleagues.
“The holiday season is a time for giving and this display of beneficence and humility is a prime example showing why Columbus is nationally renowned as such a compassionate community,” said President Mentel. “This unprecedented gift to the Columbus Foundation, and ultimately the Shelter Board, could mean the difference between life and death for those who find themselves homeless this winter.”
The Columbus Foundation’s anonymous donor has committed $300,000 to support the need for more emergency housing in our community during this time of severe hardship and to honor the 12 years of distinguished community service of Council President Mentel. Mentel, who announced his retirement from City Council last month, will be presiding over his last meeting this evening
“New scripts are being written every day about how to respond to the unfamiliar challenges members of our community are facing,” said The Columbus Foundation President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler. “This one is a story of heroic generosity.”
Unfamiliar challenges is a perfect way to describe the need faced by the Shelter Board and its partner organizations. According to statistics provided by CSB, through November of this year, families seeking emergency housing beyond the capacity of existing shelters produced an alarming 3,757% increase in family overflow shelter nights as compared to the entire calendar year in 2009 (2160 shelter nights compared to 56). Furthermore, single adult overflow in October and November of 2010 increased 41% compared to the same time period in 2009 (3344 shelter nights compared to 2366).
“We are just overwhelmed by the community’s response to this unprecedented demand for shelter,” said CSB Executive Director Michelle Heritage Ward. “It’s a wonderful example of the public-private partnership that is the hallmark of how we end homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County.”
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a public-private partnership organization that creates collaborations, innovates solutions, and invests in quality programs in order to end homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County. CSB allocates over $13 million annually to support homeless programs and services. Last year, these programs served more than 8,000 individuals. CSB is funded by the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of Central Ohio, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of Ohio, and other public and private donors.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.csb.org or www.columbusfoundation.org.
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