In the Summer 2022 Newsletter, we reported that our twenty year old Walk-in Refrigerator and Freezer boxes serving the Kitchen had failed.  Tapman’s Refrigeration, with the help of Mr. Tony Gilkerson, installed temporary “loaner” condensing units on the roof to get the boxes operational again.  But because the floor under these units was wood and also failing, coupled to the age of the units, we knew that we had to replace the boxes with new ones on a concrete foundation.

The Perdue Family learned of our need, and gifted the Christian Shelter $115,000; two Foundation gifts and one personal gift.   Because the manufacturing lead time on new boxes was determined to be nearly five months, the Christian Shelter Board of Directors decided to step out in faith and order the boxes at a cost of nearly $50,000.   The total Project cost for demolition work and installation of the new larger boxes is in the neighborhood of $165,000.   We are trusting the Lord to deliver the additional $50,000 to complete the work.  The boxes are due to be shipped by the manufacturer on March 23^rd and received in early April.  Our goal is to have the new walk-in boxes fully functional by the end of April.

Update, April 17, 2023: The new refrigerator and freezer are installed and in use!

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

On April 27, 2022, Mayor Jake Day along with a number of other dignitaries held a brief ceremony to rename Short Street that runs next to the Christian Shelter as “Christian Shelter Way” to honor the 42 years of service the Christian Shelter has provided to the homeless and most vulnerable population in the Salisbury community. Also on hand for this wonderful event was Mr. Ed Wilgus who was one of the original founders of the Christian shelter back in the late 1970’s. He along with David and Joann Grier, Robert Marshall, Carl Webster, David Powell, Dale Watson, Rev. James Riley Sr, Claudia Riley, Edwin Thress and Billy Gene Jackson were considered to be the founding members of the Christian Shelter. It was only fitting that Ed was on hand to actually do the unveiling of the sign 42 years after he helped in the creation of the Christian Shelter. Mayor Day did a short presentation for the crowd that gathered for the ceremony and thanked the current board members, staff and volunteers on hand that day for continuing the great work of the Christian Shelter ministry that was started so many years ago.

In the photo attached are left to right Mayor Jake Day, Gus Lebois-Board Member, Mark Thompson- Board Member, Ed Wilgus- Founder, Jane Hoy- Board Member, Bryan Murfree- Chairman of the Board, Ted Evans- Emeritus Board Member and Anthony Dickerson- Executive Director of the Christian Shelter.