Another concern is the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on FBCS. With the children out of school and at the shelter 24 hours a day, the cost for food, utilities, and program supplies have all increased. While the community stepped up in many ways, FBCS cannot currently accept “used items” as donations in an attempt to prevent contamination inside the facility. However, the facility can accept donations of meals and cleaning supplies, which will help keep the children fed and safe.
When asked what else the community can do for FBCS, Dawn Landrum, the Shelter Manager responded, “It is our responsibility to keep residents safe. For this reason, we have continued to follow recommendations from the CDC, disinfecting our facility regularly and maintaining our children’s isolation for the most part.
All these changes have come with unanticipated costs that were not budgeted for our shelter. Anyone who would like to help us overcome the effects of COVID-19 can make monetary donations, or visit our website to donate food and supplies for our shelter and learn which items are needed more urgently.”