Northwoods Homeless Shelters, Inc. was established in 1998 after community leaders met to address the issue of homelessness in Polk County. At this time, Northwoods is the only emergency shelter program in our county that does not charge its residents for shelter and services.

Shelter and services are provided free of charge to our program participants. Funding for our program is provided through donations from churches, service organizations, corporations, and individuals, as well as grant awards.

• that Northwoods Homeless Shelters provided 2,182 shelter nights in 2007?
  
  
• Northwoods provided services to 20 families (52 individuals) in 2007?
  
  
• that as of August 25th, over 1,650 shelter nights have already been provided this year?
  
  
• we provided food to 20 families, gas cards to 6 families, and telephone cards to 5 families in 2007? We also provided payments for dental work for one individual and prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine for 2 families.
  
  
• that we need and appreciate your help in providing shelter and services to our county's homeless?
  
  
• that you can make a permanent difference in someone's life by helping to support the Northwoods Homeless Shelters program?