It’s been said before, but Shepherd’s Corner is serving more families than ever. It seems each year, the need just keeps getting greater, said President Mary Ellen Depue.

 

“We’ve definitely gotten busier. We’ve had at least 500 more people since this time last year,” she said. “We’ve had more advertisement and more people know about it. Word is spreading and that’s fine.”

 

The recent completion of the facility’s new addition is enabling Shepherd’s Corner to better serve those who come in for clothing, food, household items, cleaning and health supplies and other needs.

 

“We can serve the people better and the volunteers have a little more space to work,” Depue said. “We have a better sorting area and a bigger area for clients to look through items. We are having more and more donations come in and now we’re able to put more of those items out.”

 

Just constructed was a 24- by 30-foot addition, accessible from the back of the original building on Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

“They cut a nice archway where there used to be a window,” Depue said.

 

She said local contractor Mark Bonamico designed and built the perfect addition and painted the entire building, bringing it all together as one unit.

 

The facility did not have to borrow any money to complete the project. Local churches and members of the community generously donated to a building fund, which was initiated by Shirlene Isabella and the Cava family.

 

Recently after purchasing the building, the first addition was completed. That was a 10- by 12-foot area that is the present food pantry portion of the facility. That project was also completely funded through donations, Depue said.

 

Originally, the facility serviced the Harrison County area, but presently people come from Taylor, Marion, Upshur and other nearby counties. The greatest need now is school clothing, Depue said.

 

Donations continue to pour into Shepherd’s Corner and they are appreciated. Depue does ask that large items such as TVs and appliances be dropped off when the facility is open and not left outside. Some items have been ruined by rain, she said.

 

Although the facility is stocked up on many items of clothing and housewares, children’s clothing is always needed, as are a number of health and beauty and cleaning supplies.

 

“We can always use (disposable) diapers – and any baby items - toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner and cleaning supplies such as laundry and dishwashing detergent,” Depue said. “We can also use staple foods. We spend at least $400 every month for food.”

 

Good food items to donate include peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce and cereal, in addition to canned non-perishable items like vegetables.

 

The summer season has been very busy. Once school starts, Shepherd’s Corner plans to hold a grand reopening of the facility, Depue said.  It’s likely that will happen in October.

 

Shepherd’s Corner works closely with other area agencies, including the Mustard Seed, the Clarksburg Mission and Community Action. The agencies share and coordinate various needs.

 

Shepherd’s Corner is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.