Blackburnnews.com File PhotoRiver City Vineyard. Blackburnnews.com File Photo
Sarnia

River City Sanctuary Opening Delayed

The opening of the River City Sanctuary has been delayed.

Pastor George Esser had hoped to open a 12 bed shelter by now at the Mitton St. site but an $85,000 fundraising campaign has fallen short.

"We're still about $22,000 short," he says. "It's been coming in but it is slow. We want to do a proper job so we need to have things in place before we open," says Esser.

Pastor Esser wants to hire two part time staff members to help anchor their team of volunteers.

River City Vineyard, as it was previously called, was awarded $90,000 in court costs in its legal battle with the city to keep its homeless shelter open, but it's overall costs amounted to over $163,000.

Donations can be made at the Mitton St. church or by calling 519-383-8463.

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