ELDON - Eldon residents affected by the May 22 EF-1 tornado are in the process of starting over.
The Red Cross shelter at the Eldon Community Center has been seeing a decrease in overnight stays.
Shelter manager David Silver said people are leaving the shelter daily. A total of 16 people stayed in the shelter Wednesday night, with an expected 11 remaining Thursday afternoon.
"It is still operating," he said. "People have been placed in units where they can move out."
Many residents from Eldon Estates on Jones Avenue were given a voucher to seek subsidized housing anywhere in the state. Residents would be placed at the top of a waiting list.
Meals at the shelter have been taken over by the Red Cross after community organizations such as Serve Eldon and the Eldon Lions Club provided meals for more than 200 residents immediately following the disaster.
"The support the community has given this shelter is amazing," Silver said.
The shelter will remain open until there is no longer a need. No official word to close the facility has been given from the St. Louis headquarters, Silver said.
Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief remains on site providing showers and laundry facilities.
Upon finding housing, Pastor Bill Foglesong of First Christian Church of Eldon, said people still need basic items and funds for deposits or storage.
The church, in partnership with Serve Eldon, set up a center in the fellowship hall at 102 S. Aurora St. for donations and distributions.
"We're going to be open for the month of June at least," Foglesong said. "Then we'll reassess at the end of the month."
Proof of a Red Cross number given to tornado victims may be requested, although no one will be turned away, he added.
The center is open noon-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The facility needs new blankets, pillows, shampoo, conditioner, diapers, baby wipes, depends, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath towels, deodorant, hair combs, soap, toilet paper, manual can openers, dish towels, trash bags, paper towels, plastic ware, disposable plates, sauce pans, flour, peanut butter, canned goods, sugar, salt and pepper.
New Horizon Church, 24 Cender Drive, is distributing clothing at the same time and days.
Anyone who needs to contact the shelter may call 1-800-733-2767. The organization asks those who wish to give to consider financial donations. Donations can be designated online, by phone at 1-800-435-7669 or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
To contact First Christian Church, call 573-392-8282.