Bethlehem Inn receives outpouring of community support

Bethlehem Inn announced Friday that 340 community members came together at their annual fundraiser, Spotlight on Homelessness, on May 8 to raise over $260,000 in support of its program providing adults and children with assistance in making their transition from homelessness to stability.

The strong support was especially significant as it comes at the same time that the Inn is nearing its $9 million capital campaign goal; having reached over $7.5 million.

Gwenn Wysling, executive director, called the community’s show of support for the Inn’s program “deeply gratifying.” Wysling was quick to add, “We have such a strong and caring community here in Central Oregon. We could not have the impact on peoples’ lives without a generous and caring community of supporters.”

Wysling also expressed sincere gratitude to Robert and Arlene Kooman, First Interstate Bank, and the Bethlehem Inn Board of Directors for the $62,000 in match funding. This match opportunity was offered to donors as a way to leverage their $1,000 contributions.

“We are deeply thankful to these leading donors and to our own board of directors, who recognize the level of financial support needed to serve over a thousand adults and children every year.”

Bethlehem Inn is Central Oregon’s largest emergency shelter; providing shelter, food and case management services to over 1,100 adults and children last year; 82,000 meals are served to those in crisis.

To learn more about Bethlehem Inn and how they Transform Lives with Shelter, Help and Hope, please call 541.322.8768 or visit www.bethleheminn.org . Donations may also be mailed to Bethlehem Inn, P.O. Box 8540, Bend, OR 97708. Learn more about the Transforming Lives Together Capital Campaign visit https://bethleheminn.org/capital-campaign/