MANITOWOC Wis. (WFRV) - The Manitowoc Warming Shelter, operating out of First Presbyterian Church, has become a vital part of the community, offering a safe space for individuals in need during the cold winter months. While the shelter serves its purpose by day as a church, by night it transforms into a shelter, welcoming those in need of warmth and shelter. However, with limited space, the shelter often faces capacity issues, turning away up to eight people a night due to a lack of room. Eco-friendly donations help Manitowoc and Sheboygan nonprofits thrive Pastor Mathew Sauer, who also serves as the director of the Manitowoc Warming Shelter, shared that the shelter began three years ago, with some people doubting the need for it. "We often heard, 'Oh, there's not a need for that,'" said Pastor Sauer. "But clearly, there is. We have 12 beds available, and we're turning people away every night." The shelter served 50 individuals in its first year and 78 last year, with 13 people finding stable housing and six finding employment during their stay. The shelter plans to expand by next winter with a second location that will provide space for an additional 24 people, complete with shower and laundry facilities. "We're currently working with the city to find the perfect location," Sauer explained. "We are considering a 7,000-square-foot building that we could either remodel or build from scratch." To fund this expansion, the shelter is raising over one million dollars through a dedicated fundraising campaign. Recently, they received a generous boost from a memorial donation that touched everyone involved. The donation came from a mother who had lost her daughter to cancer the previous year. The mother, who had received some funding following her daughter’s passing, chose to direct a portion of that money to the warming shelter. "Her daughter’s zest for life and compassion can continue to live through this gift," Pastor Sauer said. DNR invites Wisconsinites to harvest their own holiday tree from state forests In addition, the shelter received various memorial donations, but this particular card stood out. Pastor Sauer reflected, "It means a lot that people believe in what we're doing, and that they believe in their fellow community members enough to want to make a difference." The Manitowoc Warming Shelter has become a place where everyone is seen as a neighbor, not just the homeless. With over 140 volunteers helping over 150 nights each season, the shelter’s success shows the strength of community support. “It’s incredible to be part of a community that says, 'These are our neighbors, they’re not a problem—they’re our neighbors, and we need to take care of each other,'" Pastor Sauer said. For more information, visit manitowocwarmingshelter.org