Local homeless shelter burglarized; meat and mattresses taken

A local homeless shelter is working to recover after it was burglarized Friday night.

Sabra Simpson, a supervisor at Everlasting Arms Homeless Shelter on Standard Avenue, said staff and residents had gone to attend a Christmas play when the break-in occurred.

“We were gone for about two hours between 7 and 9 p.m.” Simpson said.

Simpson said one of the doors to the soup pantry was broken and the burglar(s) were able to gain access through there.

Once inside, the burglar(s) took meat, including steaks, chicken and pot roasts valued at approximately $1,000, along with mattresses and box springs.

“These were items that had been donated to us,” Simpson said.

Simpson said most of the mattresses and box springs were twin sets that fit the bunk beds. There were also sets of double mattresses and box springs, which were taken.

Simpson said the shelter has had a number of people donate food, water and other items since the incident took place, while others have called to offer thoughts and prayers.

Simpson said the shelter is a 501c3 non-profit organization, so any donations are tax deductible.

“We are totally non-profit and a Christian organization so we don’t get any type of government funding,” Simpson said.

“We will gladly accept anything anyone would like to donate. That would be such a blessing,” she added.

More information about the shelter is available online at Everlasting Arms Facebook page, or by contacting the shelter at 528-3669.