City of St. Louis Winter Shelter Fund Now Accepting Donations to Help Community Through Winter of Unprecedented Need

Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced the creation of the City of St. Louis Winter Shelter Fund, seeking to add more funding to help provide shelter and services for unhoused residents and individuals and families affected by the May 16 tornado.

Ahead of this winter, Mayor Spencer and the Board of Aldermen appropriated an unprecedented $13.7 million to fund winter shelter and services and tornado-resident housing in anticipation of a severely increased need caused by the national uptick in homelessness and the May 16 tornado, which has caused many St. Louisans to be displaced or live in homes that cannot be kept warm.

“The need has never been greater, and the City and our partners know we’ll need every dollar we can get. Whether you are an individual contributing $25 or $100 or a business that can contribute tens of thousands, we need you. If you are as deeply concerned about this as I am, please join us,” said Mayor Spencer. “So many people have asked me how to help keep our community safe this winter, and this is a great way to do it. Every dollar counts and will help provide shelter and services to more people in need.”

The City of St. Louis Winter Shelter Fund, created in partnership with the St. Louis Continuum of Care, Peter & Paul Community Services, Gateway 180 and St. Louis Winter Outreach, is a donor-advised fund and will be managed by our trusted partner, the St. Louis Community Foundation. All donations will go directly to shelter operations, including staffing, food, supplies and emergency equipment.

Anyone can make a tax-deductible donation to the City of St. Louis Winter Shelter Fund on the St. Louis Community Foundation website. 

“The demand for winter shelter is always high, and often unmet. This winter season, the demand is compounded by the needs of those left unsheltered and vulnerable by the May tornado. Shelter is a crucial and costly solution for keeping our unhoused neighbors warm, safe and alive this winter. Critical funds raised will support the provision of shelter for all in need of a safe space to sleep during the extreme cold weather,” said St. Louis Continuum of Care Chairperson Kathy Connors. 

If you are already donating to shelters and similar community organizations, please keep those dollars in place. This fund is specifically for new donors and those who want to donate more because of the increased need. The City does not want to take away from winter fundraising drives that our partners rely on.

An angel donor has already contributed $25,000, and the City’s goal is to raise $250,000 by the end of this winter.

“No one should have to face a freezing night without shelter or housing. This fund represents our community coming together with compassion and urgency to protect lives during the harshest winter conditions,” said Peter & Paul Community Services CEO Anthony D’Agostino.