Bridge to Home’s emergency winter shelter for the homeless on Drayton Street in Saugus did not close on April 1, the first time since the first winter shelter opened in the Santa Clarita Valley 22 years ago.

Thanks to supplementary funding from Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Bridge to Home will keep the shelter open and provide services to homeless individuals and families at least until the end of July.

By then, the nonprofit organization’s officials will know if their application to the county for long-term funding will be approved, which would allow the shelter to remain open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year under a three-year contract.

Barger recently joined the Santa Clarita City Council, Bridge to Home Executive Director Mike Foley, members of the BTH board and staff, and many community volunteers at the shelter building to present a super-sized facsimile check representing Santa Clarita’s first opportunity to provide shelter services outside the four winter months.

More Nights Means More Meals
With the addition of 120 open nights, the shelter needs additional evening meals. Since Feeding it Forward continues to operate four nights each week, that’s an increase of 51 dinners. The shelter is also always in need of sack lunches.

Please contact Terry at terry@btohome.org if you can provide meals.

Current Donations Needed
* Shower Curtains
* Coffee Maker
* Ladies Underwear
* Men’s Boxers (All sizes)
* Hot Cocoa
* Large Ziplock Bags
* Sugar Packets
* Large 39-40 lb garbage bags
* Plastic Spoons
* Oatmeal
* Breakfast-to-go food
* Water bottles
* Lunch-to-go items (Small Tuna Packets)

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 23031 Drayton Street (off Railroad Avenue) between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. or the Bridge to Home office at 23752 Newhall Ave. in Newhall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

To make a cash donation (tax deductible), click here.

Keep up with Bridge to Home at the official website.