There is room at the inn. Food, too. And warmth.

On Tuesday the Audrain County Shelter Resource Coalition marked its seventh opening of Room At The Inn, a cold weather shelter for men, women and children who need a warm, safe place to sleep.

The program has been a resounding success. From Dec.1, 2019 through Feb. 28, 2020 the coalition sheltered 28 people and provided 324 meals. The shelter was able to reopen in the spring as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. From May 1 to June 15, Room at the Inn housed four women and four children.

It’s a program that runs on community support. Even as the doors open, the coalition is seeking donations of food and supplies. Food items needed include individually wrapped granola bars, cereal, milk, instant oatmeal, ready-to-serve soup and stew, mac and cheese cups, fresh fruit, and the like. Hot chocolate, tea bags, and coffee are also needed, as well as condiments, bottled water and other non-perishable foods.

The shelter also has a continuing need for such items as pillows, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, paper plates and bowls, plastic silverware, soap, socks and gloves. This year disposable masks and hand sanitizer have been added to the list.

ACRSC was founded in 2013 by a group of community members with a concern for the lack of local resources for homeless and displaced individuals and families in the Mexico area. Local community support has made it possible for ACRSC to operate the shelter from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily through the winter months.

The coalition would like to expand to a year-round operation and employ a site coordinator to provide aid in securing permanent housing, steady employment and mental health counseling if needed. The goal is to help those in need transition to a more sustainable lifestyle.

ACRSC is 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. It is located at 403 S. Fairgrounds next to the Help Center in Mexico. The shelter has three private family rooms as well as separate areas for individual men and women.