He said Hawke's Bay Engineering have been incredibly supportive in the past two years while he and his wife Kiri have worked with homeless in the community.
"They used to release me every Monday so I could run the soup kitchen and they would pay me for the full day.
I can't thank them enough for what they did."
Kiri and Kevin Swannell, who run a soup kitchen from Clive Square on Monday evenings, are fronting the project to build Hawke's Bay's first emergency shelter.
Hawke's Bay Today has launched a campaign, Limitless Hope Emergency Shelter Appeal, to get everything needed to make this happen.
Property Brokers donated their former two-storey office and Relocate Homes NZ managing director Shannon Tawhiti has offered to move the building when a patch of land is secured.
However, there are still many expenses to be covered and the Swannells need to reach a Givealittle limit of $100,000 by the end of the month or else money pledged to them will be returned to the donors.
Many local businesses and community leaders have pledged their support already.
A Te Mata Primary School student was so moved by the efforts of Kiri and Kevin Swannell, it inspired her to launch a related cause of her own.
Lana Chrystall, 9, dreamt up the "One Week Self Sacrifice Challenge."
The generous youngster has vowed not to buy any unnecessary items for seven days and is encouraging as many people as possible to follow her lead.
Mrs Swannell said the concept was "pretty damn amazing."
"For a nine-year-old to lead the way like she has, for her to want to sacrifice for others is incredible."
This week all Property Brokers offices in Hawke's Bay will be taking donations for the Hawke's Bay emergency shelter appeal.
How you can give
To help, phone Mrs Swannell on 027 3019 491
Make a pledge at givealittle.co.nz/project/limitlesshope, or donate directly to HB limitless Hope Trustee Ltd: 38 9017 0031 584 00
