LEWISTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Hope Haven homeless shelter in Lewiston hasn't served a hot meal in months.

Pastor John Robbins, Executive Director of the Hope Haven, said there hasn't been enough money in the budget to pay for repairs and installation, so the kitchen had to close.

The shelter used to serve two meals a day, six days a week, serving between 50 and 85 meals each day.

Since the kitchen's closure in mid-May, that adds up to nearly 8,000 missed meals.

But one check later, and everything has changed for the Hope Haven.

Shortly after announcing the closure, Robbins said he received an email telling him he would be getting a check for more than $15 thousand.

Usually, Robbins thank donors -- but not this one.

"I don't know who it is, I don't know last name, first name, if it's a business -- I have no idea," said Robbins.

He does know, however, that the money will pay for all the repairs his kitchen needs.

He expects it to reopen by the end of the month.

"I still go back and read the original emails to make sure that I'm not dreaming," said Robbins. "It's just amazing."

He said in tough economic times, it's been hard to pay for things like repairs around the shelter, which houses up to 30 people and provides meals to the general public.

The one silver lining to having the kitchen closed for months has been creating awareness about the need for donations.

A group of employees from Aaron's Rent-To-Own in Lewiston dropped off a check for $1,000 on Friday.

NEWS CENTER