RENO -- A gift was given to homeless people in Northern Nevada as funds were provided to assist them during the Holidays.

The United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) Board of Directors has approved $22,000 in funding to Volunteers of America – Northern Nevada (VOA)  to assist with the opening of an overflow homeless shelter from Dec. 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013. The overflow homeless shelter will be located on Mill Street, near McCarran Boulevard. The funds will be distributed from UWNNS’ Community Response Fund, which can provide a limited amount of funding in critical, emergency situations. VOA runs the men’s, women’s and family homeless shelters in Reno. In those three shelters, the organization currently houses more than 300 homeless individuals every night. Those shelters are currently at capacity with more men, women and children who need shelter. With the economic downturn, there are more people on the streets than experienced in a long period of time. Currently, there are between 150 and 250 people sleeping on the streets without shelter. With the freezing temperatures settling in, a winter overflow shelter will assist these people in staying warm and dry during the winter months. The overflow homeless shelter’s facility is owned by the Truckee River Flood Management Board, which is allowing VOA to use the space rent-free. The funds from UWNNS will be used to staff the shelter. The facility will house approximately 100 people that would otherwise be on the streets with no shelter this winter. UWNNS’ Community Response Fund is comprised of dollars from donor contributions during the annual community campaign that are set aside by the UWNNS Board of Directors.   The fund helps to address critical issues related to United Way’s mission, priorities and community impact agenda.