Emilio Gonzalez will eagerly tell you about the passion and determination of Monsignor King, who was the flame that started the fire for what is now the Monsignor King Outreach Center.

When Msgr. King first opened the Narthex of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in a wretched cold blast of 2009, he was told not to do it- there would be too many problems. Emilio recounts, with a twinkle in his own eye, that Msgr. King replied, "But this is what we're supposed to be doing!"  Because of his deep, ecumenical beliefs, more than 10 different churches aligned support for those first efforts that have led to shelters larger than the Narthex.

Monsignor King Outreach Center, currently on Woodrow Lane, was much-needed shelter during the frozen cold of February, housing about 60 persons each night it was open.

The MKOC opens when temperatures fall below 32 or rise above 100. When it is open, they need dinner meals, individually-wrapped snacks, and twin-sized linens.

For more about Monsignor King Outreach Center, visit their website.  

For updates, see their Facebook page.

As important as those physical items for the center, though, Emilio Gonzalez asks for prayers for a long-term building.