Two Chicago women’s shelters who were facing closure because of more than $30,000 in overdue bills have received a reprieve from an anonymous donor who paid the bills.

The charity’s owner Clara Kirk told the Chicago Sun-Times she was struggling to pay the utility bills for a South Side shelter and another nearby facility. The 72-year-old Kirk said the financial problems arose because the group is having difficulty securing new grants.

The anonymous donor stepped up Thursday and said they would cover the bills for the West Englewood United Organization.

Kirk said that she’s learned people care more than she thought they cared.

Peoples Gas had turned off gas to one of the shelters on October 16th but turned it back on the day after the donor paid the bill.