I was disappointed that members of the Theresa House Board didn’t see more people attend our community meeting Oct. 2 at St. John’s Episcopal Church. I wonder if people realize the seriousness of homelessness in Mankato and the service Theresa House gives in our area.

Theresa House is a non-profit organization providing emergency shelter and transitional housing for women and children who are homeless. Theresa House is an interdenominational Christian ministry open to people of all beliefs.

After serving Mankato for 11 years as an emergency shelter, Theresa House is facing lease termination and relocation from its current address at 512 East Mulberry Street.

Options available to Theresa House are constrained by time. Theresa House has 22 months within which to complete a move without interruption in service.

In the last fiscal year ending in July, Theresa House provided housing for 43 adults and 53 children while being forced to turn away 835 adults and children, due to limited space availability.

Theresa House is the only shelter for the homeless in Mankato that accepts children. Theresa House needs your help.

Is there housing in Mankato that could serve the homeless? Are there people in Mankato who are concerned about homeless people?

With the economic situation in our country as such — bread earners losing their jobs and families’ homes in foreclosure — many of us may need a place as safe and caring as Theresa House.

If you can help in any way, please phone or write to Theresa House.