An overnight winter shelter for homeless men begins operations Friday in Champaign, and will function through the end of March. The collaboration between the faith-based community and a number of local agencies was due in part to the state budget impasse, and the result of months of planning. First Presbyterian Church downtown will host the shelter during the week, while Faith United Methodist will serve in that role Friday and Saturday nights.

Champaign’s faith-based community has a short-term plan for two churches to provide overnight shelter to homeless men during the winter months. Two churches, First Presbyterian and Faith United Methodist, will be taking in up 30 men from the second week of January through March. Another site, New Covenant Fellowship Church, could be serving as a shelter soon, after some fire safety code updates. But conversations for a permanent site are ongoing.