Shepherd's Cove in Elkhart fears closing their doors

A nonprofit that helps hundreds of people throughout Michiana is asking for your help.  Families can stop by Shepherd's Cove once a month to find clothing, furniture, toys and personal care products. 

Clients can take as much as they need free of charge, but now Sharlee Morain, the Executive Director of Shepherd's Cove fears she may have to close the doors.

“When people donate this stuff they just don't realize how many people they are blessing and they are blessing lots,” says Morain. 

Shepherd's Cove opened on Lusher Avenue in Elkhart in August. Over the months Morain says she witnessed strangers helping strangers, making a huge difference in their lives.

“But the electricity the gas, the water, that's not donated to us. So we need some people to financially become partners with us,” explains Morain. 

Morain says being a unique nonprofit, that acts as a one-stop-shop, comes with challenges. She says there's not enough grant money available for support.

“We touch a lot of lives here and I think it would be just so detrimental to the community if we shut down,” says Morain. 

Volunteer Mary Cobb says closing the doors permanently could severely impact the community.

“So this would have a huge, huge impact on people and our community if this had to close. I don't know where people would go,” says Cobb. 

About 300 people a month visit Shepherd's Cove.

Paris Jackson, a client, says the organization is helping her.

“It is hard to come up with clothes and I have a 3 year old and I'm with child now so that helps me. Newborns go through clothes all the time,” says Jackson. 

A wide variety of clients shared their gratitude for Shepherd's Cove including Judy Grove who is now paying it forward.

“I'm working on getting them more sponsors. My husband and I are going to sponsor as well and ya know anything we can do to help,” says Grove. 

Morain says the organization reached the end of its funds and needs community support. Otherwise, she does not know how she will continue to help those in Michiana. 

To make a contribution to Shepherd's Cove click here.