WCPO 9 Launches Fundraising Drive for Serve City
The campaign aims to renovate the 1940 building to improve living conditions for those seeking local shelter services.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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WCPO 9 has initiated a new fundraising campaign to support Serve City, a Hamilton facility that provides emergency shelter and housing support. The Scripps Howard Fund is incentivizing contributions by matching the first $1,000 in donations.
Why it matters
The effort seeks to address long-standing maintenance issues in the 1940 building while highlighting the disparity between homeless service demand and available capacity in Butler County. Improving the physical environment is intended to better reflect dignity for those receiving assistance.
Butler County currently reports an estimated 400 to 500 homeless individuals, significantly exceeding the 200 available shelter beds in the region. The Scripps Howard Fund is providing a $1,000 match to jumpstart community donations.
The players
WCPO 9
A local television station serving the Greater Cincinnati area that is leading the fundraising efforts for the shelter.
Serve City
A Hamilton-based organization that offers housing, food, and clothing assistance to those in need.
Scripps Howard Fund
A 501(c)(3) public charity that supports various community initiatives through grants and matching donations.
The details
Serve City provides essential resources including an emergency shelter, food pantry, and a clothing boutique. Plans for the facility include enclosing the ceiling and refreshing the interior, which has not been painted in approximately 30 years.
Timeline
The Serve City building was originally constructed in 1940.
The interior of the building has remained unpainted since 1996.
Market Landscape
The Scripps Howard Fund leverages its 501(c)(3) public charity status to provide the financial infrastructure necessary for corporate-backed community philanthropy. This mechanism allows local organizations like Serve City to scale fundraising operations beyond their immediate donor base.
Residents in Hamilton and the Greater Cincinnati area can contribute via text, QR code, or online forms to support facility upgrades. These donations directly impact the living environment for local shelter users by funding necessary building maintenance.
The takeaway
Maintaining aging infrastructure is a common challenge for social service organizations operating in historic facilities. Donors looking to support the campaign can use digital payment methods to ensure their contributions are counted toward the current matching window.
Further reading
Learn more about local support efforts in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCPO.
Live Poll
Should local charities prioritize building renovations to improve the dignity of their services?
