Friday, September 20, 2024

The Fond du Lac Public Library appreciates the partnership it has shared with Hope on the Block since the cabinet was installed in October 2022. During that time, unhoused individuals and others with short-term needs have been able to access certain necessities with dignity at any hour. The Library has been proud to be able to help community members during their time of need.

The library’s role in this partnership has been to provide space for the cabinet that is owned and operated by Hope on the Block, a separate nonprofit organization. The Library does not stock or maintain the cabinet that is located by the north entrance to the Library.

At this time, the Fond du Lac Public Library Board has made a decision that a new location for the cabinet would be in the best interest of the library, though the library continues to support the mission of Hope on the Block. The cabinet will be removed by Nov. 1, 2024, when the Holy Family Warming Shelter opens at 73 E. First St., Fond du Lac.

“Hope on the Block is near to the hearts of everyone on the Library Board of Trustees, and we want the work of the organization to continue,” said Dusty Krikau, president of the Fond du Lac Public Library Board of Trustees. “It became clear that the cabinet location was creating a political atmosphere that was negatively impacting the work of both Hope on the Block and the Library. We plan to offer our support in the coming months to ensure that the people served by the cabinet are not left without resources.”

For now, that will come in the form of a formal letter from the Library Board supporting the continuation of Hope on the Block’s services within the Fond du Lac community. Library Board members repeatedly expressed at their Sept. 19 meeting that while the cabinet no longer can continue on the Library property, its mission remains valuable to the community at large. Board members plan to work with Hope on the Block to explore other ways to offer concrete support.