Communities and non-profits around the world are uniting on May 5, 2020 for #GivingTuesdayNow as an emergency response to the unprecedented needs caused by COVID-19.Locally in Greenville and Pitt County, Community Crossroads Center, the area’s only emergency shelter for the homeless is calling on those in the community who are able to please donate to the Community Crossroads Center’s COVID-19 Emergency Health and Wellness Fund as part of their #GivingTuesdayNow campaign.Monetary donations are the lifeblood of Crossroads. Our budget is 80% funded by individuals, businesses, and churches. Donations are vital during the current COVID-19 pandemic as the Center has moved to 24-hour operations to comply with the shelter in place order.Ordinarily, Crossroads is open to residents from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. which cost an average of $25 per resident for one night. The extended 24-hour operations and COVID-19 protection preparations have increased our costs. It cannot be overstated how important it is to keep this population safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping them safe helps keep us all safe.In 2019, we provided services to 629 different residents including 60 children. While the demand for shelter and our support services has more than doubled over the past ten years, monetary donations to support direct expenses have declined. We were already facing a critical need before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Crossroads is joining the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign to in order to meet immediate needs as well as to be able to meet the anticipated demand for services from people impacted by the pandemic’s economic devastation.In the weeks leading up to the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, Crossroads received two generous $5,000 donations from the community. The Crossroads Board of Directors pledged another $5,000 for a total of $15,000. Our goal for the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign is to raise at least an additional $15,000, for a total of $30,000.For 32 years, through all sorts of weather, natural disasters, financial turmoil, and tough times, the doors to Community Crossroads Center have always remained open. Remarkably, not one time in nearly 12,000 days, have the doors ever closed. With your support, we will weather this storm, too.There are lots of ways to think about giving, but any amount is appreciated! Donations are accepted online at www.communitycrossroadscenter.org or check or money order mailed to their address at: 207 Manhattan Ave | Greenville NC 27834.Be sure to follow Community Crossroads Center’s social media at https://www.facebook.com/GvilleXroads/Thank you for your continued support,Ken BeckerExecutive DirectorCommunity Crossroads Center