http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/homeless-shelter-reopens-its-doors-after-fire_30231.mp3
[Sound: City Utilities bus idles outside Missouri Hotel as birds chirp.]
On an overcast yet eerily warm day in January, birds chirp as a city utilities bus stops at the Missouri Hotel on Commercial Street. People step off the bus clutching bed frames, boxes, and large, see through bags of clothing. They are greeted by eager and excited staff members, ready to renew their mission and provide a welcoming environment to those walking through their doors.
The Munoz family, Michael Sr. and his two boys, are returning to the shelter today, and spoke with us on the ground floor of the Missouri Hotel, about how the shelter community has been affected.
“We have gotten close helping each other out, [moving] our luggage. Everyone is dealing with the same situation as a unit.”
Spirits seem to be high at the shelter as staggered buses bring back more people to their temporary home. The Kitchen, Inc. oversees the homeless shelter. According to CEO Rorie Orgeron, the largest change for inhabitants of the campus is that they are asked to give up their extension cords and multi-plugs, so that they don’t accidentally cause another fire like this one in the future.
The Kitchen also wants to thank the community for their support. The organization says without their help, this transition could not have happened in only 11 days.
For KSMU News, I’m Shane Franklin.