A Positive Start for the School Year

(Top: Sarah Spoonhower with her daughter, Payten Sharp, showing off her new backpack. Bottom: Volunteers from Girl Scout Troop 40234 (Karissa Adams-Swansbrough, Katelyn Strickland, Gabrielle Woodruff) pose in front of the “School Bus Toss” game.)

What a rousing success!  We recently distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to families in need with children grades K-6 enrolled in Waverly, NY at our satellite location, The Red Door, last Friday, August 21st.  The Open Door Mission also held its Annual Back-To-School Bash in Owego on Saturday, August 22nd offering haircuts, games and entertainment, and refreshments, as well as, backpacks filled with school supplies and snacks to children grades K-6 enrolled in Tioga County schools excluding Waverly.

Our Back-To-School events help to reduce the stress and anxiety that families feel due to financial struggle at the beginning of the school year by replacing it with some fun, excitement, and a feeling of looking forward to the year ahead. Providing a safe, comfortable, and fun atmosphere for families, we were able to meet some basic needs making “children with less” feel special and positive about their start for the school year; fostering self-esteem and setting the students up for success.

We are so grateful for community support from the Floyd Hooker Foundation as well as generous donations from Tioga Downs, the Police Benevolent Association, and private donors.

The Tioga County Open Door Mission, a local faith-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has been devoted to serving our community through our food pantries, homeless shelter, and outreach programs since 1968.  Your continued support allows us to extend our Outreach efforts and make a step towards creating meaningful change in our community and the lives of the children.

If you have any questions about our Outreach programs, please feel free to call or visit us at our Waverly location, The Red Door Thrift Store and Community Center, 359 Broad Street, Waverly, NY (607)249-6062, or the Tioga County Open Door Mission, 425 North Avenue, Owego, NY (607)687-1121.

We appreciate your support!