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Fundraising twist: Pope Francis Center checking guests into hotels for virtual gala
Ford, Lear, Magna, Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers, WPP are presenting sponsors
Has already outpaced 2019 gala results, raising $700,000 of $1 million goal for event
Fusco, Schaffer & Pappas Inc. and Detroit Collaborative Design Center
A Thursday fund-raiser will support the $22 million short-term housing development Pope Francis Center is planning in Detroit. Close to 300 people will check in to three downtown hotels Thursday night as guests of a virtual event benefiting Pope Francis Center.
Detroit Foundation Hotel, Shinola Hotel and The Siren Hotel are providing the Detroit center for the homeless with discounted rates to help it raise funds through the virtual event.
Homeless service providers across metro Detroit are facing a trio of challenges, as the temperature drops and COVID-19 cases surge.
They normally see increased demand during winter and this year is no different. At the same time, pandemic safety restrictions have forced shelters to cut back on the number of people they can accommodate. On top of this, state and federal safeguards against evictions are expected to end in December. Without further intervention, housing experts expect an eviction crisis that could send people into homelessness, taxing an already overwhelmed system of providers. Now during the pandemic, anybody could be two paychecks away from being homeless, said April Fidler, executive director of the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter.