(Spirit Lake)– A Spirit Lake facility that serves displaced, homeless adults from all walks of life is in danger of closing its doors due to severe cuts in funding.
Phyllis Kempema operates Discovery House. She says the facility may not make it through the winter. Kempema says their funding has been reduced from 32-thousand dollars a year to 11-thousand, and she says they may not have enough money to pay the heating bill this winter.
Kempema is putting out a plea for donations.
Discovery House has served nearly 100 homeless people annually for more than 11 years. Kempema says they give their clients referrals and links to other helping agencies and recovery groups in the area, while providing a safe harbor and stable environment to help the homeless get back on their feet.
Kempema says they’ll be holding a holiday open house at Dicovery House November 30th from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Admission will be by freewill donation. Cake, cookies, punch and coffee will be served and Kempema will be giving away seeds from her garden.
Discovery House is located at the corner of 15th Street and Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake. The house is one of the oldest in the city. It was constructed in 1897.
