St. Benedict’s Shelter expands services, seeks monthly pledges

 During the past 15 years, St. Benedict’s Shelter in Owensboro has expanded its mission in size and scope, especially as a 24/7 shelter. As one of the few shelters of its type in western Kentucky, St. Benedict’s now fills a regional need.

The 500 or so men who receive services there each year come from 120 ZIP Codes across the tri-state region. Besides the men’s shelter in Owensboro, St. Benedict’s also operates four transitional homes for veterans and men who are recovering from substance use. Also, the nonprofit now operates a women and family day shelter and manages the St. Gerard Life Home, which gives moms in crisis pregnancies a safe place to live. And, during cold winter months, St. Benedict’s serves men, women and children when temperatures fall to 15 degrees and lower.

COVID-19 canceled all of St. Benedict’s 2020 fundraising events, and the worldwide pandemic caused the nonprofit to spend about $40,000 more per month in overtime and other expenses than the budget projected. In the first nine months of COVID-19, the shelter’s reserve fund nearly emptied. The nonprofit is looking for at least 100 donors who will pledge a small monthly gift. For the price of a fast-food meal or one adult ticket to the movies — $10 to $15 — supporters can ensure the most vulnerable residents in the region have a warm bed, nutritious meals, counseling, and behavioral health services. Please consider a monthly pledge.

Simply visit stbenedictsowensboro.org/donate. For more information about St. Benedict’s and its many programs, go to stbenedictsowensboro.org or call (270) 541-1003.

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Originally printed in the February 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.