BORGER, TEXAS -- Though a soup kitchen and homeless shelter will not be taking up space in Borger's Golden Plains Community Hospital, it's not slowing down the need for one in Hutchinson County.
The Idea was shut down by the County District Board of Directors because of safety and cost. But those with the High Plains Helping Hands are pleaing with the community to bring a one-stop shop for the area's less fortunate. Mary Kay Phelan, Executive Director of Helping Hands, says they're seeing an increase in demand for their services with the cost of living increasing and utility bills.
"We need to expand and we need to meet this need before it's a big need. So I want to be proactive here, I want the community to step up and let's think about this and pull the agencies together and see if we can't find a place and be ready for what the economy is going to turn to."
Phelan says while the hospital's facility is out of the question, she wouldn't mind finding something similar.
"It had a functioning kitchen and there area some doctor offices to the side that I thought would make a great homeless shelter and then there's beautiful atrium area that I wanted to put a thrift store in, and then I was going to actually move our food bank," said Phelan.
For ways on how you can help the High Plains Helping Hands you can call them at 806-273-5601. Meantime, the hospital will be vacant at the end of October, then torn down.
