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Volunteers help accomplish the mission
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Debbie Smith, of Austintown, handed Canfield resident Robbie Kitchokoff-Jones packages of flour to place in one of the food storage areas of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. Food baskets are distributed every four months in addition to the three full course meals that are served daily at the mission.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Austintown's Debbie Smith (left) and Canfield's Robbie Kitchokoff-Jones helped fold donated clothes while volunteering at the distribution center of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. Items in the distribution center are given away, free of charge, twice a week.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley has been serving the Valley for more than 100 years. What began as a learning center for underprivileged children and adults has grown to a full-service shelter providing food, education and guidance.
The nonprofit organization has one focus in mind: to respond to the physical, spiritual and emotion needs of children, women and men through a Christ-centered outreach program. To accomplish this goal, dedicated volunteers are needed.
Debbie Smith, of Austintown, donates 40 hours week to helping the Rescue Mission meet its goal. Her desire to volunteer was triggered when she went to donate a bed comforter. Overwhelmed by emotion, Smith led a group of shelter beneficiaries in a Bible study session that very day.
“They were hurting and lost, they needed direction and God in their life,” Smith said.
She currently spends most of her volunteer time at the Rescue Mission’s Distribution Center on Glenwood Avenue. The center accepts donated clothing and furniture which are distributed twice a week to those in need. Smith said the furniture and clothing articles go as fast as they come.
“These clothing racks may be full now, but by the end of the week, they will be bare,” she said.
In 2009, the Mission provided clothing for more than 4,500 people, furnished more than 1,000 homes and provided overnight stays for 23,298. Nonperishable food items, clothing, furniture and financial donations are always a necessity.
The Rescue Mission is always in need of volunteers to help with serving meals, distributing clothes, tutoring, entering data and cleaning. For information on volunteering or to schedule a tour, contact volunteer coordinator Raelyn Kish at 330-744-5485 or visit www.rescuemissionmv.org.