by Jack Delperdang, reporter
OMAHA – The Open Door Mission has been a non-profit organization centered in Omaha for the last 65 years, so being hit with something new does not happen very often. The COVID-19 pandemic fits under the bill of something new just perfectly. Amy Harvey, community relations director, said it has impacted them in quite a few ways.
“We were closed for a period of time. We have had to adjust our service hours because in the morning we are working on stocking, we have shoppers shop part of the day, then we have to disinfect and clean,” Harvey said.
The Open Door Mission had temporarily closed their Elkhorn and Council Bluffs locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are currently in the process of re-opening.
Once those locations start to open again, more items will be able to be taken to their main location downtown, which will have a positive impact on the shoppers, who have also been affected.
“Especially with OPS being out of school, I know for some parents it is difficult to come and receive services,” she said.
In the past they have allowed volunteers to just walk-in and start getting to work. Due to the unfortunate conditions we are currently in, that is not the case. But volunteer William Desomma says that volunteering is still very important to him.
“Well because I am giving back for what God has given me over my past 80 years,” Desomma said.
If you are looking for ways to help out by either donating or volunteering some of your time, you can find more information on those details at opendoormission.org.
