MUNCIE, Ind. — The Center Township Trustees have opened a new family shelter in Muncie. Welcome to the Lone Pine Lodge.
“I named it Lone Pine Lodge because I wanted the children to be able to say, ‘I'm at the lodge’ or ‘I’m going to the lodge,’ I’m not going to a shelter or to a mission. I wanted it to be exciting for them,” explained Center Township Trustee Marilyn Walker.
In collaboration with the Muncie Mission, A Better Way and other local non-profits, the trustees created the lodge. Located on East Main Street, it provides a space for families in any and all situations. Families can get placed through the mentioned non-profits, the trustee office or the Muncie Fire Department. After being involved with the trustees for 19 years, Walker knew there was a real need in the community.
“We see this every day at the office,” said Walker. “You know, people are dropping their life insurance that they have had for years so they could pay for food. It's sad. So we want to be able to be here for help and hopefully get them back on track.”
Usually, families are split in shelters. Mothers and children are sent to the YMCA and fathers are sent to the Muncie Mission. The start of this shelter stemmed from the idea of keeping families together.
“One of the things that I consistently ran into trouble with at the Hub was finding shelter for families who came in seeking assistance,” said Lodge manager Brandon Elliott. “I would call shelters throughout the state trying to find a spot, and I could never find anywhere that didn't have a waiting list.”
The lodge can fit between four to six families at a time for a 90-day stay. Along with housing, families will be offered case management, help getting food stamps and other resources to get them back on their feet. All the furniture in the lodge is sourced from Indiana, being built by the Amish. Although they started building the space a year and a half ago, Walker knew that her connection to it was something bigger.
“My dad was a trustee, so that was kind of instilled in me and what we do,” said Walker. “I can remember my dad coming home and someone being denied over the guidelines. Dad would come home and take food out of our cabinets to take it to them. And that's just what it's about, kindness and helping people.”
The Lone Pine Lodge will start accepting and placing families on December 1st. If you would like to help the lodge, you can donate hygiene products to the trustee’s office. Donations are not expected but always accepted.
Contact Abby Urban with comments at abigail.urban@bsu.edu.
