HOLLISTER
The San Benito County Homeless Task Force might use a $15,000 grant awarded from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation to keep the shelter open about two extra weeks this year.
Shelter Manager Cindy Parr expects to propose using the grant to push the closing date to March 31 instead of March 15 as previously planned. City Councilman Doug Emerson, a task force member, submitted the application and received notice of the award shortly before Christmas, Parr said. She expects board members to consider the idea Jan. 21.
Parr also noted how the shelter’s previous problem this season – it had needed about 10 cooking teams to fill out the season slate – mostly had been solved as there are now just one or two slots that need filling. With the kitchen under renovation this season, volunteer cooks have prepared meals elsewhere and transported them to shelter residents, she said.
“It has actually pulled together and it’s more cozy where we were at,” she said.
