HAZARD — A continuous stream of donations from churches and individuals may help reopen the Corner Haven homeless shelter full time as early as November.

Lack of funding forced Community Ministries to close down services at the shelter during the day, remaining open only on an emergency basis to provide the city’s homeless with a place to sleep overnight. Officials in Hazard say this has caused a serious problem among the homeless in Hazard, especially as the winter months approach.

Administrators with Community Ministries had asked for help from the community which led to two meetings with city and county officials to discuss ways to raise enough money to open the shelter full time, which would take $50,000 just for the winter months. Since the meetings, the community has come forward with donations of both items and money.

“So far we have received about $5,600 in cash,” said Community Ministries Executive Director Adrienne Bush, who set up a fund at Peoples Bank & Trust where donations could be made. Since then the community has also been challenged to raise money that will be matched anonymously. On top of the money that has already been donated, they have also received $21,800 in pledges.

“We are making progress,” Bush added. “A lot of people obviously care very deeply that we provide quality services at the shelter.”

Bush said she hopes the shelter will be back open during the day just in time for the winter, and the plans at present are to bring the shelter back to full time operations by Nov. 1.

Bush added that she would like to thank the members of the Hazard Police Department for their help in raising money and promoting their cause, especially among churches.

“I would definitely like to thank the leadership of the Hazard Police,” said Bush. “They have really put this on the table and really challenged how we as a community handle the issue of homelessness.”