WILMINGTON — More than 1,500 causes were submitted to Local Voice Media’s If I Could campaign, which offered the winner of a random drawing $5,000. This year’s winner is Wilmington’s Good Shepherd Center.
Senior Development Director Jane Birnbach and Associate Development Director Stacy Geist for the Good Shepherd Center accepted the $5,000 on behalf of the organization Wednesday morning.
Geist was also the recipient of a $500 prize given to the person who nominated the winner.
The prize was awarded to Geist and Birnbach by 93.7 and 106.3 FM The Dude’s morning host Linda Wylde and 98.3 FM The Penguin’s morning host Kim Swinny. (You can listen to the Dude’s interview above.)
The Good Shepherd Center first started as a soup kitchen, and has steadily grown to become the largest provider of homeless services in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties. The growth didn’t happen overnight, it took 35-years to get to where the center is now.
While the center still offers those in need hot meals, it also provides 118 beds for the homeless and helps residents find affordable housing in the area.
“The money is going to be used to help us rehouse someone who is getting out of the shelter and getting back into housing in the community. It takes about $3,000 for one household when you consider first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and getting utilities turned on,” Birnbach said.
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