Phylis and baby Jayce. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL PITINO SHELTER

PRESS RELEASE

Owensboro, Kentucky – As the Daniel Pitino Shelter turned 30 this year, the organization is proud to reflect on three decades of transforming lives for individuals and families facing homelessness.  Founded by Catholics with a mission aligned with the prophet Isaiah, the shelter has evolved into an ecumenical ministry with a strong Catholic foundation.

Throughout its history, the shelter has become a beacon of hope in the community, helping those in need transition from emergency shelter to permanent residency. This holiday season, the shelter invites the community to join its special initiative: Funding a Family. Through this initiative, generous contributions can provide warmth, food, and shelter to those who need it most.

“Every dollar counts – whether it’s $5 or $500,” said Harry Pedigo, executive director “Remarkably, 100% of all donations go directly to feeding, clothing, and sheltering individuals, helping them reclaim their dignity and strive for self-sufficiency.”

To sustain operations, the shelter needs $15,000 each week. Government funding constitutes only 4% of the operating budget, with Catholic support dwindling to 7-10% in recent years, highlighting the importance of community involvement. Not to mention we get zero financial support from the Pitino Family, like we did from 1994-2011. 

The shelter provides a range of options for supporting families:

• Any contribution: Goes into the general fund for essential support.
• $1,000: Funds a room for a family of four, offering a safe space to rebuild.
• $2,500: Funds a room for up to eight individuals, providing shelter and hope.
• $5,000: Funds the Soup Kitchen for one month, delivering approximately 6,000 meals.

Every donation is tax-deductible, and the shelter expresses immense gratitude for any amount given. As the holiday season approaches, the Daniel Pitino Shelter encourages everyone to unite to ensure that every family in the community has a place to call home. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

For more information on how to contribute or to learn more about the shelter’s mission, please visit www.pitinoshelter.org.org. Donations can be mailed to Daniel Pitino Shelter 501 Walnut Street, Owensboro, Kentucky, online, via Venmo (@danielpitinoshelter, or PayPal @danielpitinoshelter). For any questions, comments, or to schedule a tour, please feel free to contact executive director Harry Pedigo by texting or calling (270) 315-4419.

Meet Phylis and baby Jayce

Phylis says the Pitino Shelter gave her a safe place for her and her three children to stay, when she had nowhere else to go. This is the first time she has ever experienced homelessness. Her experience is a result of her big heart, by helping her mother and brother with a room to stay in. Little did she know that it was a violation of her lease, and she was evicted. She takes full responsibility but has learned a valuable lesson. Phylis and her three children have been with Pitino for two months now. She’s overwhelmed with gratitude and excited to be able to save money, work on overcoming barriers, and moving at the right speed to ensure this never happens again. Phylis wants everyone to see and know she’s a young strong resilient woman. She is hyper focused on using this experience to her benefit but wants people to see her as a person and not a statistic or stereotype!  Phylis says to please support the Pitino Shelter “because it’s more than a shelter, it’s a soup kitchen, and because you help the whole community in so many ways I never knew until I came through their doors!”

Originally printed in the December 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.