The City of Denton has authorized the payment of $1.295 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to Our Daily Bread, the operator of the Denton Community Shelter.
DENTON, TX, Aug. 1, 2023 – The City of Denton has authorized the payment of $1.295 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to Our Daily Bread, the operator of the Denton Community Shelter. This financial assistance is a crucial step in bolstering efforts to combat homelessness in our community and reaffirms the City's unwavering commitment to supporting those in need.
"The allocation of nearly $1.3 million to Our Daily Bread shows our determination to help address homelessness in our community,” said Mayor Gerard Hudspeth. “By providing crucial support to the Denton Community Shelter, we are creating a strong foundation for engaging with those experiencing homelessness, providing wrap around services, and setting them on the path to permanent housing."
This funding will enable Our Daily Bread to bolster its essential operations and management services for the 24/7 emergency shelter, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for the most vulnerable members of our community. The Denton Community Shelter provides a significant enhancement of shelter services for people experiencing homelessness, allowing them to enter the shelter without having to leave behind their pets, partners, or possessions. This financial support extends to areas that are not covered by other City funding awarded to Our Daily Bread, showcasing a united effort to bridge gaps and leave no one behind.
“Our Daily Bread, with the support of the City of Denton, is committed to addressing hunger and homelessness in our community,” said Wendy McGee, Executive Director of Our Daily Bread. “Through an ongoing collaborative partnership that began approximately 5 years ago, we are making a greater impact for our neighbors experiencing homelessness than ever before.”
The City of Denton, through this funding initiative, aims to highlight the power of collective action in making homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
About Our Daily Bread:
The Denton Community Shelter operated by Our Daily Bread is the only 24/7 low-barrier emergency shelter in Denton County. Increased accessibility and availability of nutritious meals, safe shelter, and wraparound supportive services addressing wellness, education, and income support provide opportunities for all to recover from homelessness and obtain independence and improved quality of life. Since opening at the Loop 288 location, Our Daily Bread has served more than 625 meals per day, provided overnight emergency shelter to up to 200 people nightly, transitional shelter to 32 individuals, and delivered an average of 300 supportive services daily.
Additional Background
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has played a significant role in providing financial assistance to state and local governments across the nation. Under the ARPA's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), the City of Denton received an allocation of $23.29 million, empowering local initiatives to address various challenges brought forth by the pandemic.
Half of this transformative funding, amounting to $11.65 million, was made available to the City in May 2021, demonstrating a swift response to the pressing needs of our citizens. Guided by a visionary approach, the City Council diligently reviewed and approved allocations for the second half of the ARP SLFRF funding, culminating in a monumental decision to allocate $1,295,000 in support of the operations and management of the 24/7 emergency shelter at the Loop 288 facility, operated by the indomitable Our Daily Bread.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ryan Adams
Chief of Staff
Phone: (940) 349-8565
Email: [email protected]