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2021 was a busy year at the Tioga County Open Door MIssion! There have been quite a few changes over the past few months, and of course we were especially busy over the holiday season!
First...to the changes...
At the Red Door on Broad Street in Waverly, we revamped the cafe area and thrift shop during the fall, and it looks great! We'll soon be offering additional meeting space on the second floor of the building. If your organization or group needs a space to gather, please consider us!
We were also busy this year renovating the former United Methodist Church in Lockwood. We have now christened it Another Door Opens Church and Community Center! We still offer a food pantry there for local residents, but when we are fully up and running, the hours of the food pantry will be extended. The location will also offer meeting space for area groups, and can host community meals, family reunions, and other non profit groups offering their services to area residents. The sanctuary will still be used for religious services and weddings.
The holiday season was once again busy for the Mission. We again offered Thanksgiving meal baskets for those in need, and hosted Children's Christmas parties in both Owego and Waverly. They were a success! We want to thank our partners...the local Toys for Tots branch, the Floyd Hooker Foundation, the Waverly Police Benevolent Association, and especially the community...who always steps forward to provide presents and funding for these special events. 162 children benefitted from our party in Owego, with well over 100 in the Waverly community.
We were the beneficiary of a couple of coat drives...organized by the Apalachin Lions Club and Tioga State Bank. Dozens of warm coats of every style and size were offered to us, for the use of those in need.
And of course we're working daily on behalf of the community. Our employees sort through the many donations our supporters so generously provide, and stock our thrift stores with them...a full time job! We provide a pick up service for those who would like to donate furniture and larger items. We also still collect scrap metal for disposal. And we offer several recovery programs at the Red Door for those battling addiction issues.
Our Outreach Department here at the Mission also helps those who need assistance with food, clothing, or furniture. We operate a food pantry at the Mission in Owego.
If you haven't visited our thrift stores in Owego and Waverly, come have a look! It's amazing what you can find, and it's a lot of fun to browze around.
Until next time!
Dawn