OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The heat’s on in Oshkosh to find a new furnace for a shelter’s food pantry building.
The furnace at Father Carr’s Place 2B stopped working after last month’s blizzard.
Over the span of 40 years, people have walked through the doors of Father Carr’s Place 2B thousands of times.
“Different people have come back and have said how much better they’re doing after getting back on their feet again,” said Carol Shikoski, a volunteer.
Father Carr’s includes a free clinic with about 30 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, and receptionists. Overall, the center has over 300 active volunteers.
Executive Director Bob Lang says Father Carr’s also operates a pair of homeless shelters. One for the men, and the other for women and children.
“We have 35 to 45 women and children and about 20 men here at this time.”
Lang told FOX 11, the upper level in the men’s shelter is available for mission groups and youth groups who do service. Lang also said it welcomes EAA guests as a fundraiser.
The shelter welcomes people year round.
At the food pantry, Lang says up to 170 people pick out about 40 pounds of food every Friday.
“We have our building open 365 days where they can stop in and get bread or a deli item.”
But this year, food isn’t the only need at the pantry.
Lang told FOX 11, the furnace stopped working shortly after Blizzard Evelyn.
Now he hopes it gets fixed before the cold comes back.
“The food pantry is where we generate all of our food, not only for the soup kitchen but also the homeless shelter.”
The cost to fix the furnace is estimated at $8,000 to $10,000. Lang is hoping the community will be able to pitch in.
“We have the upcoming Bridge Walk, which is a fundraiser that we do to raise awareness for homelessness.”
The 3rd annual Bridge Walk event is on June 2nd, with a goal of getting at least 400 people to participate.
And with the communities support, volunteers say they can continue to serve those who need it most.
To sponsor the Bridge Walk event, call Bob Lang at 920-231-2378.
