Homeless people may be fortunate enough to find a shelter to stay at overnight, but when it comes to the daytime they often end up on the streets. But a nonprofit in Seminole County hopes to change that.

  • Feed the Need opening daytime homeless shelter
  • Helps homeless get services, food, education
  • Looking at facility in Sanford

Feed the Need plans to open a shelter that would be open during the day.  The charity is in talks to buy a warehouse in downtown Sanford, where the shelter would be located.

“Where they’re able to get education, medical services, get a hot meal, get showers,” said Reginia Kelly, co-founder of Feed the Need.

Kelly was recognized as a News 13 Everyday Hero last fall when she and her husband, Dan, opened a food pantry in the Seminole County Health Department. Kelly says she always envisioned creating a shelter where the homeless could go during the day.

“This building’s been available and we’re looking to purchase, and somehow it’s moved very quickly and we’re ready to jump on board and get this started,” said Kelly.

Business owners like Jen Hornburg say the shelter is needed. Hornberg says she frequently sees the homeless outside her wellness center in downtown Sanford.

“We’re so excited to have an alternative for them, a healthy, happy alternative that’s safe,” said Hornberg, owner of The Center of Wellness.

Kelly says plans for the new center are getting a lot of support from the community, especially from the Sanford Police Department.

“It could take a lot of pressure off them,” said Kelly. “They don’t want to arrest these individuals, they just want to give them help like we do.”

Feed the Need says Sanford city leaders are also supportive of the daytime homeless shelter.

So far, there’s no timeline for the opening for the shelter’s opening.