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Community steps up to help Indianapolis shelter

Posted at 11:20 PM, Feb 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-15 23:20:53-05

INDIANAPOLIS — RTV6 told you the story about an Indianapolis shelter that provides hot meals for people experiencing homelessness in need of a commercial refrigerator. Well, the community stepped up.

STORY | Refuge Place Indy needs help, looking for commercial refrigerator

Kroger donated a commercial refrigerator that will help Refuge Place Indy prepare meals for people in need.

"We just happened to have this in storage looking for a good home and what better place than this," Eric Halvorson, Kroger spokesperson, said.

Tyree Coleman is the founder of Refuge Place Indy - but he prefers to call himself a servant.

"We break bread at the table just like Jesus did," Coleman said.

"Just letting them know that no matter what you're going through, somebody's there to walk this journey with you."

It's a mission that's close to his heart because it comes from experience.

"I was homeless twice in this city - first as a child with my mother and my sisters," he said.

"Knowing that the lord allowed me to go through that so that there would be a passion to do this work long term."

Refuge Place Indy provides food for dozens of people each night 365 days a year, and that's not all.

"The way out of homelessness is Jesus and a job," Coleman said.

They provide job skills training.

"We have some folks that are in EMT training now, some welding training, some CDL training," he said.

You can still help the shelter out. They need hygiene items and men's clothing. For instance, new undergarments and more things to complete the kitchen.

Coleman says they're in need of a convection oven and a kettle pot.

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to be a partner with these folks and grateful that you've brought us the opportunity to serve," Halvorson said.