In March, the Covington First United Methodist Church paid the $5,000 utility deposit owed to the City of Covington by the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter, said Rev. Clara Lett.

The homeless shelter was responsible for paying the deposit on the three buildings it leases from the Covington Housing Authority. The homeless shelter had been operating in Covington since June, but did not officially sign a lease with the housing authority until early February.

At the time, Lett asked the city council to waive the $5,000 deposit, because the shelter simply could not afford the payment. However, the city council decided it did not want to set a new precedent and agreed to set up a payment plan instead. However, more than a month later, Lett said FUMC took care of the bill for her.

In other shelter news, a new website was created by worker Daniel Guinn. The website’s address is rainbowcommuniyctr.org. In the address the word community is spelled without a “t.”

Lett said the main benefit of the Web site is to allow area business, organizations and residents to donate online. Donations can be made using PayPal.

In March, Lett said the shelter was running successfully, but still owed the housing authority around $35,000, because the authority had been paying the shelter’s average $5,500 monthly utility bills since June.

She said previously that with a signed lease she hoped to regain eligibility for a $45,000 Re-Entry Partnership Housing grant from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

On the website, interested parties can also find background information, photos and a calendar of events.