Amherst shelter will soon expand

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Amherst Town officials have approved the expansion of an overnight homeless shelter.  

The Amherst Shelter, Craig's Doors, has been looking to expand since last winter when organizers noticed more people were looking for a place to sleep.  

The shelter is located in the basement of the First Baptist Church in Amherst.

During an interview last July, Executive Director Kevin Noonan told 22News the 16-bed shelter was in need of small renovations and eight more beds.  

Noonan pitched the expansion to the Town of Amherst and after more than a month of talks, Town Manager John Musante agreed to a six-bed expansion.  

"There was 160 different people that came through the shelter last year. Each night we were turning five or so people away, we need to put a couple of sprinkler heads also there's another person that we hired," Noonan said.

Craig's Doors will be open from November 1st to April 20th and they plan to hold a fundraiser to get the money to pay for the six beds.
 
Craig's Doors website explains how you can help.