This time last year, Harlan McKendrick was wondering how Zion Shelter and Kitchen was going to be able to operate. Funds were low and grant money promised hadn’t come in for Beaufort County’s shelter for homeless men. But McKendrick after took his case to the media and the city council, donations from businesses, individuals and government kept the shelter’s doors open.

“We had very good donations. … It enabled us to operate without any problems at all so far (this year). Of course, you can’t run on it forever,” McKendrick laughed.

One of the more helpful donations was a $10,000 bequest from the estate of a Bath woman, said McKendrick, though he added that those who donate smaller amounts regularly are just as important to shelter operations. He named many area churches and businesses that stepped in to fill the monetary gap in the shelter’s time of need.

In the first half of 2013, Zion Shelter provided 2,030 nights of shelter for 21 different homeless men and served 6,717 meals to the hungry in the area, according to McKendrick.

A year later, Zion Shelter and Kitchen is still operating thanks to the generosity of its neighbors.

“We’re in good shape at the moment,” McKendrick said.

That includes the shelter kitchen, which offers hot meals beginning at 11 a.m. every weekday.

“Anybody that’s hungry — we give an excellent lunch,” McKendrick said.