Beyond Homeless receives Duke Energy Foundation Grant

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 8:25 AM

By Paul Gable

With sub zero temperatures settled in across Putnam County, an organization aimed at helping homeless received a major shot in the arm this week.

Beyond Homeless Inc. received a $2,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation as part of $55 thousand in rapid response grants to 21 organizations aimed at helping communities withstand storm impacts.

Lea Durbin, executive director of Beyond Homeless Inc., welcomed the grant with open arms.

"I was really happy to hear we were awarded the grant. With rising costs of utilities, this will allow us to keep the Warming Center open when needed so anyone needing a warm space can get out of the cold," Durbin told The Putnam County Post.

Durbin said Beyond Homeless Inc. has seen an increase in people utilizing the warming center in recent days with the temperatures.

"We had our two regulars in last week, but over the weekend, we had several who usually choose to stay away," Durbin said.