The Missouri Slope Area United Way has launched a fundraising campaign called “Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is…For Homeless.”
MSA United Way Executive Director Jena Gullo said it stems from the recent Burleigh County Commission meeting concerning refugees.
"We had hundreds of people show up to the meeting where they discussed refugee resettlement," Gullo said. "People were so passionate about it."
Gullo said one theme that emerged from people on both sides of the issue was regardless of how one felt about refugees, everyonwe wanted to make sure we're taking care of our homeless population.
"And we thought, 'I wonder if people know how to do that," Gullo said.
Gullo says one of United Way’s donors came up with that fundraising slogan. She says United Way is operating the only emergency homeless shelter in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Gullo said one of United Way’s donors came up with that fundraising slogan.
Gullo said United Way is operating the only emergency homeless shelter in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
"In the last year, we've had over 15,000 nights of shelter United Way has provided to the homeless," Gullo said. "We have had over 700 men, women and families come to us with the need of a warm and safe place to stay."
And Gullo said as of the first of the year (2020), the shelter will be open 24-7.
"That means we're a big help to the City of Bismarck," Gullo said. "When police come across someone living in a car on the side of the road on a cold winter day, or they're stranded somewhere without a safe place to be, police can drop them off at the United Way shelter. That person can seek safety and services."
The shelter now has a capacity of 57. And Gullo said there are plans to build a newer, larger shelter – and use the current building as a resource center.
