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Lake County warming center opening delayed

This week's opening of the Lake County warming center was pushed back a few weeks because of a lack of funding.

 

According to center team leader Seth Cantu, the Lake Ministerial Association is about $9,000 short of the approximately $12,000 minimum the shelter needs to open its doors. The minimum, which is about 25 percent of the place's total operations budget, is needed to ensure the center remains open all winter.

 

"We don't want to open our doors and then turn around and have to close them," Cantu said."So we want to make sure that we can have everything needed ready." 

 

The $44,000 in total funding, he added, mostly comes from major donors. That money is promised but "is not in their account" due to a multitude of factors.

 

For instance, the center is about $2,000 shy of a $5,000 matching grant from Adventist Community Services. Other organizations are working on sending them checks.

 

Meanwhile, the county government hasn't offered any financial assistance but District 4 Supervisor and shelter volunteer Tina Scott said the county has extended the length of the center's major use permit indefinitely as long it keeps meeting requirements.

 

"I wish the county could do more... we're struggling," Scott said. 

 

The center is also looking for community support. If you would like to donate, send checks to the Kelseyville Methodist Church or go online at gofundme.com/lma-warming-shelterministry.

 

The projected opening date is December 18.