Shepherd's Corner Completes Renovation; Extra Space, Stocked Inventory Puts Service Organization in Good Place
By Julie Perine on February 25, 2021
Just weeks into 2021, Shepherd’s Corner finds itself in a good position to assist local families in need. Recently completed is a renovation
which gives the service organization additional storage and operation space.
which gives the service organization additional storage and operation space.
Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, Shepherd’s Corner closed for two weeks while Bonamico Construction completed the small addition, closing in the area between the drop boxes and the main building, resulting in about 350 square feet of additional space.
“We also took up carpeting, put down vinyl flooring and painted the inside,” said Mary Ellen Depue.
Funds were raised for the renovation project through a campaign which has been in the works for some time. The finished project gives volunteers extra space for organizing
and storage, opening up areas previously used for those purposes to more efficiently display items and give visitors more room for browsing. One portion of the newly closed-in space is utilized for storing bags and totes which arrive with donations inside. Those items are regularly picked up by volunteers of Clarksburg Mission, where they are utilized to help others.
and storage, opening up areas previously used for those purposes to more efficiently display items and give visitors more room for browsing. One portion of the newly closed-in space is utilized for storing bags and totes which arrive with donations inside. Those items are regularly picked up by volunteers of Clarksburg Mission, where they are utilized to help others.
Following the renovation, Shepherd’s Corner remained temporarily closed because of icy road conditions.
“Most of our workers are 80-plus years old and we just cannot risk anyone getting hurt,” Depue said.
Other service 
organizations picked up the slack during that time, filling food orders typically filled at Shepherd’s Corner. But now that the facility has reopened, it is ready and able to fill those orders.
organizations picked up the slack during that time, filling food orders typically filled at Shepherd’s Corner. But now that the facility has reopened, it is ready and able to fill those orders.
Bridgeport’s GFWC Woman’s Club and Lions Club held a food drive in the fall of 2020, followed by a collection effort by Bridgeport 4-H. Then, in early December, the Bridgeport Police Department collected a large amount of food donations.
“We got so much food and now we have a place to store it,” Depue said. “It’s all sorted by date and we’re in really good shape. There will be a few food items we’ll need to buy – things like meat, butter and bread; items we buy all the time.”
The Knights of Columbus also stepped up, bringing in an inventory of cleaning and hygiene products.
“We are just blessed with plenty,” Depue said.
Household items, clothing and toys can be donated when Shepherd’s Corner is open: 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Volunteers thank members of the community for their continual support.
