United Way of Central Texas announced Thursday the challenge grant it issued early last week in support of the Temple shelter had been exceeded and $56,755 raised.

Families in Crisis, which has shelters in Killeen and Temple, learned earlier in the year that expected funding for the Temple shelter would not be available and without an infusion of capital the Temple shelter would have to close.

The United Way announced that if the community could raise $20,000 for the shelter it would be matched with an additional $20,000.

Ann Thompson, executive director of United Way of Central Texas, said since the announcement of the challenge donations had been steadily coming in, eventually reaching $16,755.

“We had received everything from $20 from individuals to a club’s donation of $1,000,” Thompson said.

Then she got a call - an anonymous donor wanted to give the shelter $20,000.

“We’re so appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community,” Thompson said. “I knew there would be no problem raising this money, but I had no idea how enthusiastic and supportive people would be.”

Thompson said wherever she went during the past weeks, people would ask how they could support Families in Crisis.

“It’s a great agency and we are thrilled that they can continue services and so many people stood up and supported them,” she said.

William Hall, interim director and chief financial officer of Families in Crisis, said he was appreciative of the community support of the shelter and the challenge grant.

This money will fund the Temple shelter into early next year, but continued community support will be needed.

As government funding decreases, agencies like Families in Crisis will have to rely more on local sources to remain viable, Hall said.

Families in Crisis has operated a shelter in Killeen for a number of years.

In August 2007, the Temple shelter opened.

A 2006 Leadership Temple class took on the Temple shelter as a project and was able to rise more than $300,000 in in-kind donations to get the facility up and running. A second class provided the shelter’s playground equipment.

The 16-bed Temple shelter has served more than 100 individuals in the past year and usually is filled to capacity.

There are people in Temple who have sought help because of the local shelter, said Suzanne Armour, Families in Crisis community relations manager.

The shelter’s needs will continue and those who would like to make a donation may do so through the United Way, Thompson said.