Money will be used to pay construction debt, mortgages and establish maintenance fund

Albany Helping Hands homeless shelter has started a campaign - "Build Hope for the Homeless" - to raise $400,000 to match an offer by an anonymous donor.

The donor gave $150,000 up front but stipulated that the total $400,000 gift would be forthcoming only if the shelter raised a matching amount.

Helping Hands, at 619 Ninth Ave. S.E., is a faith-based organization that offers housing, meals and support services to people in need.

Over the past three years, Helping Hands has raised $1.3 million to purchase the property on Ninth Avenue and complete two construction phases. The shelter hopes to raise a total of $2.2 million.

Money will go toward paying off construction debt and two mortgages, and establishing a maintenance fund.

The organization also has to repay two loans from the city of Albany.

One of the loans was for $50,000 and was interest free for 12 months.

The year is up, however, and the shelter is now paying interest on the loan. The second loan was for $100,000.

"That's a very high priority, paying the city back," said John Donovan, the development director at the shelter.

There are 115 beds at the shelter, which this week was housing about 90 people a night.

About 40 of those guests have jobs either at the shelter, a shelter-run business or elsewhere.

Profits from Helping Hands businesses cover most of the shelter's daily operations costs, which are around $900.

Currently, there are three businesses in operation: a garden market and wood lot, both at 5150 Santiam Highway S.E., and a thrift store at 1193 Santiam Road S.E. They bring in an average of $700 a day, Donovan said.

A Christmas tree lot will open later this year.

Anyone interested in giving to Helping Hands can call Donovan at 928-0931 or 974-6709.