Jesus House May be Left in Dark from Money Woes

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Donations are down, and demand is up for the services of Jesus House in Oklahoma City, but the non-profit shelter and resource provider for the needy is now out of funds.

Jesus House hasn't been able to pay its staff for the last three weeks, and it just received a service cutoff notice from Oklahoma Natural Gas for failure to pay the gas bill. The current bill is $2,063.07. Jesus House President and CEO Jan Mercer said the non-profit doesn't have the money to pay it.

"We're having a really difficult time. We know donations go down this time of year, but we haven't seen it like this since the 80s," Mercer said.

The shelter's boiler is run on gas, and it is crucial for cooking in the kitchen and hot showers.

"Some people think $20 or less isn't enough to donate, but everything helps. At this point, we'll take anything. The community has been great at providing food and clothing, but just like everybody else we have bills to pay, and right now we don't have any money left to pay them," Mercer said.

Make a donation to Jesus House

As utility shutoffs loom, Mercer is also concerned how the lack of funds is preventing the purpose of the Jesus House place.

"It's hard answering the phones and telling all these people we can't help them with the electric or rent it's been real difficult," Mercer said.

Rocky Broughton stays at the Jesus House and said he is concerned he'll lose what he calls his home.

"Before I came here, my life was in shambles and Jesus House gave me the opportunity to get my life on the right track," Broughton said.

Meanwhile, as calls for help are tripling and donations are down by at least 50 percent, Mercers said she doesn't plan on shutting the doors. She said if anything, they'll sit in the dark and deal with ice cold showers.

If you want to help, you can write a check to Jesus House or call 405-232-7164 to donate by credit card.