(La Porte County, IN) - The overnight shelter in La Porte is taking in a lot more people than last season.

 

Mayor Tom Dermody said an average of 15 people per night stayed at the shelter during November.  In comparison, the average number of people staying from January when the shelter first opened to when it closed for the season in April was about nine per day.  

 

He said guests were also served 892 meals last month.  Volunteers last month worked 189 hours at the shelter, which is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. until after spring.

 

"Thank you to everbody in the community that has given up their time," he said. 

 

The shelter inside the old train depot along Washington St. is operated by Nest Community Shelter, which relies strictly on donations and grants to meet all operating expenses at its shelter here and in Michigan City.

 

Nest Community Shelter Director Harry Holtkamp said the overnight shelter in Michigan City is currently serving over 30 people per night.  He expects the numbers to rise in January when demand for shelters goes up as the weather becomes more wintery.

 

Two of the shelter guests in La Porte last month found new housing while six people at the Michigan City shelter last month are now in new homes.

 

Guests at both shelters receive help in finding new homes and jobs along with other assistance to help them become self-sufficient again.

 

“It’s just showing that the need is there,” Holtkamp said.