PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
Sitting around a table in the back of a building that preaches helping the poor, board members from a North Country, New York group debated shutting down their organization that helps put people up in shelters for free.
A helping hand that board member Kevin Mccown experienced six years ago.
"It keeps you from basically falling flat on your face," said Mccown.
On Wednesday, board members discussed the $20,000 dollar gap the group faces this year.
Knowing that, they decided to shut down for the rest of 2012.
"It's kind of heartbreaking," said Mccown.
The organization doesn't just provide shelter for people; it does a number of things, including helping people find jobs, and giving needy kids gifts during the holidays.
But now all of those programs have been suspended.
Organization leaders say donations are down, and the federal and state dollars that usually come in, have stopped.
Even though they're throwing in the towel for this year, leaders hope they can come up with the money for next year.
The group needs to come up with $150,000 dollars to open in 2013.
That's something Mccown wants to see happen, because he's fallen on hard times again, and relies on the group for a place to live for his six-member family.
"I don't think I'll be like totally homeless, but that's in the air. Like I said, it's in God's hands," said Mccown.
As for the future, they plan to meet before the end of this year to decide whether to dissolve.
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