HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WHLT ) – A Hattiesburg homeless shelter is in need of help to keep its doors open. Fieldhouse for the Homeless reopened this week after closing due to financial setbacks, but they’re still in need of crucial donations.

The shelter depends on donations and profits from the Fieldhouse Thrift Store, but donations have been down recently.

“Financially, it’s hard for a lot of the people who donate to us. So we understand, you know, that some of our contributors sort of, you know, had other obligations, and then we had an emergency where here at the Thrift Store. Our air conditioning went out in July,” said Dollwyn Pierre, advisory board member for the Fieldhouse for the Homeless.

The Fieldhouse also runs the Loftin House Women’s Shelter. The cost of keeping both shelters and the store open is growing.

“It’s probably about $6,000 or $7,000 a month and that doesn’t include the food or anything. That’s just the basic facilities to light water, the garbage pick-up and that’s about what it, you know, bare bones,” said Pierre.

Fieldhouse had to close for nearly two weeks last month after they were unable to pay the electric bill. Those staying at the shelter said it was a tough time that they don’t want to have to revisit.

“It was scary in a sense, you know, because we didn’t know the next steps. We didn’t know what was going to happen, whether it was going to open, reopen or nothing,” said Corey Watts, who received help from the shelter.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the Fieldhouse, because I was 56 years old and found myself homeless. As far as I know, it’s the only place in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Mississippi doesn’t have very many homeless shelters,” said Steven Morris, who also received help from the shelter.

Officials with the Fieldhouse said they need about $15,000. They will begin hosting monthly fundraisers at the thrift store. On Friday and Saturday, all shoes and clothing will be $3.00.

The Fieldhouse Thrift Store is located on Highway 42.

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