(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE, Wash. -A local charity that's fed and served thousands of homeless people for years is suddenly facing the possibility of being forced to shut down. The charity says the last year has been challenging and the next few months will be crucial for their survival.
For the last 10 years, Blessings Under the Bridge has fed and even clothed the homeless in Spokane. Every Wednesday the nonprofit, which is funded completely by donations, spends the night under a freeway overpass helping between 300-400 people unprivileged people in the community.
But for the first time in their history, they say they may not be able to able to continue. Founder and Executive Director Jessica Kovac tells me the last five or six months have been a struggle since they were forced to move locations by the city.
She says since the move they've seen a significant drop in funding and the number of volunteers, which is having an impact on the people they are trying to help. Kovac doesn't believe the city support what they're trying to do and ultimately wants them out.
"The city has supplied us with zero. The support that they say that they give, they've shown none of that. They've kicked us out, they've paid no money... It's just awful," Kovac said, "But then you think of all the people who are out here tonight supporting... I wish the city could treat us the same way."
For now, Blessings Under the Bridge will continue to feed the homeless here on Wednesday nights. They tell me they have hope that they will be able to keep serving the homeless in Spokane.
If you'd like to help Blessings Under the Bridge, you can do so here: http://www.butb.org/