John Cannarella, owner of A-1 Furniture in Madison, has pledged $10,000 in the hope that it will ignite a campaign to keep Porchlight’s Safe Haven transitional shelter open in 2018.
After 22 years, Safe Haven will no longer receive $350,000 of its $400,000 operating budget from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, forcing the facility to close on Dec. 31 unless the money is raised from other sources.
HUD changed its priorities to focus on permanent housing programs rather than transitional ones like Safe Haven, according to reports.
Cannarella is hoping other businesses will follow his lead and pledge at least $1,000, if not match his $10,000 gift, although anyone can donate to the cause by going to Porchlight’s website.
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