By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
The holidays have been good to local charities.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Open Door Community House has seen an abundance of household goods.
“People give us a lot of, especially women's, clothing. We get a lot of shoes, which is wonderful,” says Executive Director Kim Jenkins.
Down the street at Valley Rescue Mission, the food pantry is overflowing.
“We have been truly blessed over the holiday season to receive a lot of food,” Rhonda Mobley says.
And House of Mercy is still getting donations.
But the New Year is bound to bring more needs.
“We have more and more people who are homeless who are coming to us everyday needing additional services,” says Jenkins.
Kim Jenkins has seen an increase in clothes donations since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, the organizations are still low on children's and men's clothes and shoes. And clothing is only part of Open Door's services.
“We have a transition home for women in crisis,” she says. “We have a community case management program. We provide support services for all shelters in Columbus and Phenix City. And then we do a showering program.”
Last year, the Valley Rescue Mission sheltered more than 150 people a night, on average, and gave away four-thousand bags of food. The current fully stocked pantry will only last until June.
“This will be depleted and we'll be asking people to help us,” says Mobley.
As for House of Mercy, they're looking at basic needs at the start of a new year.
“We still have a light bill, water bill, gas bill to be paid and we hope that our donors can still aid and help us in doing so,” says Elder Bobby Harris, Director of House of Mercy.
2007 was a good year for charitable organizations, and many hope 2008 will be just as giving.
“Come together through this year and make this a beautiful year for someone that's less fortunate,” Harris says.
Open Door Community House, Valley Rescue Mission, and House of Mercy share a common need at the beginning of the year. They need volunteers and monetary donations.
For more information, contact the charity of your choice.
Open Door Community House
2405 2nd Avenue
Columbus, GA
(706) 323-5518
Valley Rescue Mission
2903 2nd Avenue
Columbus, GA
(706) 322-8267
House of Mercy
1532 3rd Avenue
Columbus, GA
(706) 322-6463
