Norman nonprofit Food & Shelter responded to accusations of misused funds following a recent audit in a press release Monday.
Food & Shelter is a nonprofit organization that aims to support people experiencing homelessness and provide food to those in need by offering services such as emergency and day shelters, eviction prevention assistance, a dining room service and a re-housing program.
In 2022, the nonprofit responded to the city’s request for a proposed new operator of the city’s emergency shelter. The nonprofit created a budget including wage projections, vendor cost estimates and cost estimates based on a previous shelter operated by the city.
The proposal was accepted by the Norman City Council and a contract was drafted. In November 2022, Food & Shelter opened the shelter, A Friend’s House, which is temporarily located at 109 W. Gray St.
During a city council meeting in May, City Auditor Shaakira Calnick presented a report on A Friend’s House, indicating that $9,835.60 in funds for the facility were mismanaged between November 2022 and February 2024 and that an amount of $20,542 was unaccounted for.
In the Monday release, Food & Shelter claimed that none of the financial findings in the audit were malicious and that Calnick misused the term “disappearing” when referring to the unaccounted funds.
“These funds didn't disappear. They covered a percentage of the necessary general operational costs, such as liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. The implication that these funds disappeared is incorrect,” the release said.
According to the release, the “mismanaged” amount represents 2.2% of the administrative costs of the contract between the city and Food & Shelter.
“Using funds for general operational costs aligns with other nonprofit agreements and is not a misuse of funds. Every dollar went to keeping the shelter open and serving people experiencing homelessness," the release said.
Calnick’s report also indicated that Food & Shelter Executive Director April Doshier received unexplained raises and bonuses.
Adam Clinton, board president of Food & Shelter, said in the release that Doshier has earned her salary in the 14 years she has been in the position, corresponding to that of leaders of other similar-sized nonprofits in the area.
“April continues to lead a strong team of hardworking employees and volunteers at Food & Shelter, Inc. to work against this trend by taking people off the street, feeding them, and putting them into homes until they can get back on their feet,” Clinton said in the release. “We are proud of the work she and her team have and continue to do."
According to the release, questions regarding the report’s findings were not asked to the organization. It also said that the Food & Shelter advisory board responded to the report, but its response was not considered.
The release said that Food & Shelter has complied with the contract and will accept any amendments made to improve the shelter. During the May meeting, Calnick recommended several amendments to the city’s contract, such as securing 109 W. Gray St. as a permanent shelter location, conducting a cost analysis of the location and training shelter personnel under the Approved Medication Assistive Personnel program.
“At no point has Food & Shelter ever refused to comply with the contract as executed,” the release said. “Our understanding of this contract was to provide a low-barrier shelter for the contracted amount of funds. Every dollar received is spent with integrity to provide shelter and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Norman.”
This story was edited by Ana Barboza. Matthew Moore and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
