COCOA, Fla. – As a soup kitchen in Melbourne prepares to close next week, another Brevard County homeless service is suddenly struggling.
Scott Billue said some from the Daily Bread are traveling to Matthew’s Hope in Cocoa even before the soup kitchen closes May 9 as part of a plan to build apartments for the homeless in Melbourne.
[Watch the video to learn how you can help Matthew’s Hope]
However, Billue told News 6 reporter James Sparvero said his ministry is now without a $50,000 donation every month from a private donor.
“They had to cut back significantly,” said Billue, the founder and CEO of Matthew’s Hope. “Mainly due on where we stand, some uncertainty in the marketplaces and in the economy, in general, a lot of chaos right now.”
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Billue said the donation is about 10% of all cash donations the ministry receives.
“It’s huge,” he said. “You just don’t find 50 grand a month behind the counter or something.”
Billie said services at risk after losing the donation include medical care and mental health.
Matthew’s Hope has its own doctor’s office on site.
Billue also showed Sparvero the ministry’s cafeteria and food pantry on Thursday, where he said shelves used to be full.
“You see some shelves that are just completely empty,” he said.
When asked what people can do to help, Billue answered, “I think the first thing I want people to understand is every little bit helps. If you can do something and everybody does a little something, I think we’ll see our way out of this,” he said.
In addition to Brevard County, Matthew’s Hope also provides services for homeless people in West Orange County.
Interested donors can reach the ministry on the Matthew’s Hope website.
Just click on the donations tabs for Brevard or Orange counties and fill out this donation form.
Those interested in providing can also check the ministry’s Facebook page for lists of needed items.