ORLANDO, Fla. — The Coalition for the Homeless in Central Florida is having to adapt the way it cares for people who are homeless in the community while also dealing with a major blow to its budget.
The coalition was forced to cancel its major annual fundraiser due to concerns about COVID-19, an estimated loss of $100,000.
“Which is about a weeks' worth of our budget,” said CEO John Hearn.
READ: Fund available for Central Floridians financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Operators are worrying how that loss, and restrictions to help quell the spread of the virus, will impact the services they are able to provide to those in need.
In addition to thousands of meals a year, the Coalition's emergency shelter program serves more than 500 men, women and children on a daily basis.
They're now reassessing the safety of their critical drop-in services, like laundry and showers that help an additional at least 100 unsheltered homeless.
Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, beds have been moved farther apart and the nightly meal is now served outside at the gate.
Hearn said all volunteers have been sent home, but that they were the ones who played a major role serving meals.
Hearn says, while the area's homeless may not be seen as the greatest risk for COVID-19, that doesn’t make them less vulnerable.
“It's not as healthy to be on the street as it is to be in a home so the health issues they face are significant,” he said.
He said there is also concern that the longer people suffer financially at this time, the larger the number of people who will need future assistance will become.
Hearn said all they can do, is rely on the community's support
“It has always stepped up to the needs we have, so we really are asking you now to continue to do that and help us as we try to do this with more limited resources,” He said.
He said they are in desperate need of donations. Click here for more information on how to help.
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