SHELTER GRANT MONEY TO TWO LOCAL AGENCIES DOWN

Every year, thousands of dollars in grants for homeless people are funneled from the city of Cape Girardeau to not-for-profit agencies. The agencies, in turn, use the money to help those who wander into the local police department or other places looking for shelter.

Some of the funds come from the Emergency Shelter Grant Program through the Missouri Department of Social Services. As usual, the city agreed to divide the money between the Safe House for Women Inc. and the Salvation Army.

But the amount this year was lower, down $5,500 from $18,500 in 1995. The need for shelter, however, hasn't changed.

Bonnie Gerecke, executive director of the Safe House, said grant amounts change from year to year, but won't affect the service her agency provides.

"Some grants go down, others go up," she said. "Sometimes we get one-time grants, like one for people displaced by the 1993 flood."

About 25 percent of the Safe House's budget comes from government grants. The rest is from individual and corporate donations, a county mill tax and the United Way.

Gerecke said all the money is vital to serve area women forced to leave their homes. Many of them come in with nothing more than their children and the clothes on their backs, but Safe House personnel help them find jobs and new homes.

The Safe House recently won a $40,000 grant under the Victims of Crime Act, which will go a long way in providing services, Gerecke said.

There is a 16-person limit at the shelter, and it stays full much of the time. Gerecke said demand hasn't increased or decreased, but changes from week to week.

Salvation Army spokesman Jackie Thieke said most of her organization's work recently has been keeping people in their homes. The Salvation Army provides rent and utility assistance to people in need.

Stephen Williams, housing assistance coordinator for the city, said city officials are pleased with the services the Safe House and Salvation Army provide as sub-grantees.

"Unfortunately, we never have enough money to do all the things we would like to, but the Safe House and Salvation Army provide very good programs," he said.