Poverello House, facing financial barriers, pleas for communities help

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Poverello House in downtown Fresno serves about 3,000 meals a day and provides multiple services, including temporary shelter.

CEO Zack Darrah says the nonprofit’s mission has remained the same since 1973, treating every person with dignity and respect.

“Our aim is to end homelessness, one person at a time,” Darrah said.

Darrah says what’s rewarding is seeing the life-changing impact many get to experience after tough times.

“Maybe struggling with addiction, mental illness, can’t find a job and go from that place into shelter and permanent housing,” he said.

Over the decades, the nonprofit noticed the growing need in Fresno and says they were able to expand over the years with support from local partners, donations, and federal funding.

Unfortunately, that is no longer the case as money coming in has decreased over the last year, leading to impactful changes.

The organization faced a difficult reality when a letter from FEMA stated they would not receive any funding.

“We are facing cuts in our food budget of over 50%, and government dollars are no longer available that have supported our food program for decades,” Darrah said. We are in a situation where we are desperately in need of new partners.”

Darrah made significant changes to their budget but says it’s not enough in the long run.

Already, 800 shelter beds are no longer available, and more changes could be made.

“We have eliminated a lot of the things we provide here, but we have also done things differently. We are being asked to serve more people with less resources to do so,” Darrah said.

Now, the Poverello House is turning to the community for help in order to provide warm cooked meals, shelter, and services.

Darrah says they will make adjustments as necessary but most importantly, not give up hope.

“We started this work at Pov house with pb and j sandwiches and if we have to do that again, we will,” Darrah said.

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Poverello House, facing financial barriers, pleas for communities help

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