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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chris King |
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King, Evans announce $75,000 for local shelter
LEVITTOWN, March 25 – State Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks, was joined today by House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans to present a mock check for $75,000 to the American Red Cross Lower Bucks Shelter.
"The shelter provides valuable services to residents of my district and I am pleased that this funding will help with continuing that work," King said.
"I am pleased that Representative King and I were able to replace the dollars cut by federal officials," Evans said. "This program is too important for the community to let it be shortchanged."
The shelter recently lost funding that was vital to its operations.
King said he applauds Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia for being instrumental in making the needs of the homeless shelter a priority. At Marseglia's urging, the county commissioners sent a letter to area municipalities asking for contributions to the American Red Cross Lower Bucks Shelter to help make up for a $100,000 shortage in its operating budget. Marseglia approached King about state funding for the shelter when she was elected in November. Since then, the two have worked in tandem to secure funding.
"As Bucks Countians and Americans we live in a world where we know to fear losing our health or our home," Marseglia said. "We know that trouble in either of these areas can begin a downward spiral that can be impossible to recover from. That is why this shelter is so important and why we must work so hard to be sure it stays open. We must be sure that there is a safety net for people until they can recover and regain their own home. As a county commissioner, but even more as a citizen of this county, I am deeply and profoundly grateful for Representative Evans' leadership and Representative King's persistence in making this contribution possible."
Kathleen Marsh, CEO of the American Red Cross Lower Bucks Shelter, accepted the funding on behalf of the shelter.
"Representative King has been very supportive of our homeless shelter and services," Marsh said. "This is yet another example of Representative King's commitment to the homeless citizens of Bucks County. We thank him for helping to meet our continuing need for funding."
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