We are prepared.
With Hurricane Dorian projected to hit Florida this weekend, St. Matthew’s House stands prepared to help the most vulnerable in our Southwest Florida communities. Even though the hurricane is likely to dissipate by the time it reaches our side of the state, there is still the potential for some wind damage to area homes, electrical outages, and flooding. And for those who are housing insecure or homeless, the danger of this storm is even greater.
But our emergency homeless shelters in Naples and Immokalee are ready for anyone in need who might need shelter, clean water to drink, or a hot meal. Because our facilities are designated FEMA emergency shelters, we will serve anyone who comes to us in need.
How can you help?
1. First, please check on your neighbors, friends, and family—especially the elderly and infirm. Let them know St. Matthew’s House is an emergency resource for food, water, and shelter if the need arises.
2. Consider a financial gift in advance of the storm: Serving our most vulnerable neighbors requires financial resources, and because St. Matthew’s House social enterprises subsidize all of our fundraising and administrative costs, 100% of your donation will go toward supporting those in need.
Click here to donate online.
3. Please pray for St. Matthew’s House, our communities, and God’s provision and protection. Three of our properties—the Immokalee shelter, Port LaBelle Inn and Conference Center, and Jill’s Place Retreat Center in Alva—are located closer to the projected storm path. We expect wind damage, power outages, and flooding at our properties.
4. Social enterprises are open! St. Matthew’s House social enterprises and shelters will be operating under regular business hours unless Southwest Florida takes a direct hit. Since we do not depend upon government funding, our social enterprises are an essential part of funding the life-changing work at St. Matthew’s House.
We’ve been through hurricanes before—and Dorian won’t be the last that we see. We are grateful to our donors whose generous support helps us love our neighbors when they need it most.
Regards,
Vann R. Ellison
President & CEO
St. Matthew’s House