The First United Methodist congregation voted unanimously Tuesday to continue offering its basement as an overflow shelter for homeless men despite threats by the owner of their parking ramp.
The church provides its basement as an overflow shelter during the winter months for Porchlight Inc.’s Men’s Drop-In Shelter. According to Rev. Keith Schroerlucke of First United Methodist, this cooperation has been going on for about four years.
?We as a church believe it is our calling to do what we can when there is a need evident to help others,? Schroerlucke said. ?It’s part of the identity of our church. It’s who we are.?
But Fred Mohs, who owns a parking ramp used by First United Methodist members, sees the shelter as a hazard to downtown Madison.
?They may be pathetic or addicted or mentally ill, but they will go to the best place they can find, and this is it for a lot of people,? Mohs said. ?Madison has more than it can handle, and I want someone else to share the burden.?
Mohs said he is strongly against the overflow shelter at the First United Methodist church as well as any other shelter near downtown Madison. According to Mohs, some homeless people are wrecking the progress downtown Madison has made.
?The homeless need money for their addictions, some of them, and they engage in aggressive panhandling,? Mohs said. ?That costs downtown Madison.?
In order to sway First United Methodist into abandoning their efforts to shelter homeless men, Mohs has temporarily revoked their use of the ramp on Manchester Place for parking, a ramp they have used for 15 years, according to Schroerlucke.
?We have enjoyed and appreciated access to the ramp,? Schroerlucke said. ?It’s been a real blessing, and it’s going to be hard, but the church just decided that our ministries are not going to be ruled by someone outside the church. We determine our priorities, and in this case if it means we won’t have access, then so be it.?
Mohs hopes to use the ramp as leverage to find other solutions to this problem.
?I would love nothing better than to give these people their parking again,? Mohs said. ?At least I have people’s attention. Nothing was happening otherwise ? it was too comfortable. I’m not winning a popularity contest, but I’m doing what needs to be done.?
Porchlight Inc.?s goal is to end homelessness in Madison. The organization provides meals, shelter and other services to those in need.
Winter, with temperatures below zero, is an especially difficult time, according to executive director of Porchlight Inc. Steve Schooler. In response, Porchlight Inc. uses not only First United Methodist but also St. John’s Lutheran Church as overflow shelters to help compensate for this ?urgent need.?
?We rely on [First United Methodist] very heavily, although only during the winter months,? Schooler said. ?When our numbers get up into the hundreds, we rely on them so that we don’t have to turn people away.?
