ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - An organization known for serving hundreds of children in the Star City may be forced to close its doors. The Hope Center will soon open a business to help recover from its financial struggles.
In the year it's been open, The Hope Center has helped hundreds of underprivileged families in our community, like Shalena Morehead.
"They've been helping me towards find housing and with the kids some while I go to school," explained Morehead.
But now, it's the center's turn to ask for help.
"We do get a lot of food and clothing donations and that helps," said the center's director Grover Price. "But, as far as monetary things go, we haven't been able to pull together a lot of money."
With little money to spare, Price said the center owes $6,500 to renew its lease next month.
"We are truly down to our last dollar," said Price. "We definitely need some funding and need to get people on board to try to help keep this place going."
Over the past year, The Hope Center spent $75,000 on community outreach events. Price said most money comes out-of-pocket from center members.
However, the center's newest project, Cup of Hope, is looking to turn things around. It's a coffee shop in the northwest part of Roanoke, right next to the center.
Revenue from an array of coffees, teas, green smoothies and detox waters will all go towards help keeping The Hope Center open.
With cosmetic work still to be done, Delegte Sam Rasoul donated the sink.
"I'm a big fan of trying to find ways of non-profits creating revenue streams to support their core mission and I think this is critical," said Rasoul.
Morehead, like others, hopes this coffee shop will be enough to save The Hope Center. For now, Price is spreading the word on social media that donations are needed.