Shepherd’s Corner continues to serve, keeping food on the table for many area families and providing household goods and clothing for the asking.

 

But every year, the need increases.

 

“We’ve served more people this year than we did all of 2018 – and we still have more than three months to go,” said Mary Ellen Depue, co-manager of the facility.

 

One of the reasons for the increase is a change in the system, she said. Until recently, individuals and families had to submit a food order voucher – generated through Community Action – to have an order filled at Shepherd’s Corner or various other food pantries across the county.

 

That system is no longer in operation; every food pantry serving as its own clearinghouse, Depue said. It’s a computerized system utilizing software developed for the purpose, but until it’s running smooth and consistently, there are some glitches in the system.

 

The other reason for the increase in the numbers served through Shepherd’s Corner is simply an increase of individuals in need.

 

“Last year, we had 8,473 people sign our book. We are open 12 hours a week and only like 48 weeks a year and that’s not very much,”

 

Depue said. “And that’s a conservative number because we don’t always know how many people don’t sign in or even if they do sign in, how many people are in their family. We estimate that with family members, we served 24,788 people last year.”

 

Depue said the pantry has recently been lower in supplies than ever before.

 

The community’s churches have really stepped up to help stock the pantry shelves and the upcoming community food drive – scheduled for Oct. 19 – will be quite valuable, too.

 

Though the facility has expanded in size a couple times, there is need once again to build on. A very timely donation will enable Shepherd’s Corner to do just that.

 

Recently, Dominion Energy presented Shepherd’s Corner with a $20,000 grant, raised through a recent golf tournament which honored Father Hilarion Cann and Sam Pickens. It was Sam Cann, former volunteer and nephew of the late Father Cann, who suggested that the facility be the recipient of the grant.

 

“Father Cann started Shepherd’s Corner back in 1984,” Depue said. “It was through the ministerial association. He felt there was a need for the children of Harrison County to receive food and clothing.”

 

The original Shepherd’s Corner was located on Third Street, in the former nun’s convent building near the original All Saints Catholic Church.

 

“We’ve been in four different locations and we are now in our home,” said Depue of the Pennsylvania Avenue Shepherd’s Corner. “And now this grant brings it all full circle.”

 

Brian Sheppard, vice president of Eastern Pipeline Operations and soon to be named senior vice president of gas transmission and storage for Dominion, provided this statement:

 

"We are encouraged by the good work happening in our community and are privileged to support the Shepherd's Corner through our charity golf tournament. Dominion Energy has been a member of the Harrison County community for more than 120 years and we comment this year's grant recipients as they strive to meet the needs of our neighbors."

 

The grant will help the facilty be even more serviceable to the community.

 

“With this money, we know we will be improving the property. We will be building on because we just ran out of room and it will make it easier all the way around for clients coming in and for our workers,” Depue said.

 

Working space is very limited at the present time, said Depue, adding that most volunteers are between the ages of 70 and 75.

 

A potential project in the works is offering cooking classes and eventually including recipes with food orders.

 

Depue thanks the community for its ongoing donations, but she asks that individuals refrain from leaving items mentioned on the sign at the drop boxes, including electronics.

 

Following the citywide yard sale in August, Shepherd’s Corner was inundated with donations, most of which were donated through the facility to area families. But with an older volunteer staff, the influx of donations – and having to sort out what they couldn’t utilize – took a great deal of time.

 

Editor's Note: Shepherd's Corner is one of many charities and service organizations that received grants from Dominion.