“Charity begins at home but should not end there.” Those are the words of Thomas Fuller, the 18th-century mathematician, clergyman, and slave. His pointed message still rings true today.
When a community is as fortunate as Bridgeport, there comes with it a responsibility to give back. Our city and its residents understand this and unfailingly accept that challenge. Whether it is local individuals, businesses, churches, schools, or civic organizations, we give. Money, goods, labor, expertise, or time, we are willing to share our good fortune and abilities with those persons, projects, or causes that need our help. In keeping with Thomas Fuller’s message, some of our giving stays here in Bridgeport. However, much of it travels beyond our municipal borders.
While examples of this generosity are abundant, our focus today is on one local organization selflessly giving to our community and beyond, Shepherd's Corner.
Decades ago, Father Cann of All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport looked around our area and realized many families were struggling. In 1984, he and the other members of our local ministerial association established Shepherd's Corner to help serve these Harrison County residents in need.
From humble beginnings, it has grown in both its mission and scope. In 2011, the facility was relocated to 119 Pennsylvania Avenue in Bridgeport. With ample parking and easy access from Main Street (U.S. Route 50), Shepherd’s Corner has become a lifeline for dozens of area families each week.
The facility is staffed entirely by volunteers. Church members, local students, and civic organization members are the primary sources of workers. Currently, they have a group of twenty-plus individuals willing to volunteer their time to the organization. Up to ten of those volunteers work daily to manage the hours of operation, Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Work continues throughout the week as volunteers sort and clean donated items and stock shelves.
Today, the facility reaches well beyond our county borders into Taylor, Lewis, and Marion counties to provide clothing, personal hygiene products, toys, books, and household items. Unfortunately, food distribution is limited to Harrison County residents because of limited quantities. Food and all of the other desperately needed supplies for families are provided free of charge to the patrons. Before the pandemic, Shepherd's Corner was assisting five to ten families a week. Post-pandemic, that number has grown to as many as sixty families per week.
All items given away by Shepherd's Corner are donated to the facility or purchased with money donated to them. Most of our Bridgeport churches are actively involved with providing funding, food, and supplies through donation Sundays and other programs to support Shepherd's Corner. While our local churches are the largest benefactors to the facility, they are not alone.
The Bridgeport Fire Department and Police Department also sponsor food drives that support the facility, as do some of our civic organizations and schools. You may have seen members of the GFWC Women’s Club of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Lions Club canvassing the streets of Bridgeport today as part of their annual Shepherd’s Corner Food Drive.
If you missed today’s event, you can join our local community members who donate items regularly via Shepherd's Corner drop box next to the building or with direct monetary contributions.
The work done by Shepherd's Corner has been a godsend to the people of Harrison County and beyond. Karen Lang, wife of Reverend Jim Lang and a 40-year veteran volunteer at Shepherd's Corner, expressed her appreciation, “We are blessed and so thankful to the community, churches, and civic organizations for their support!”
However, we must remember that there is still much to be done. The need still exists in our community and those surrounding us. As Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” (Matthew 26:11)
Regardless of your views on religion, you must agree that his statement was correct concerning the ever-present hardship in our world.
Because of this endless need and being as blessed as the community of Bridgeport is, the continued support of the mission of Shepherd's Corner is a must. Giving to local food drives is a great start. Bringing new or gently used clothing, personal care items, toys, and books directly to them is fantastic. Food and monetary donations to supply the food pantry are always in need and much appreciated. For a detailed list of items needed, visit the Shepherd's Corner website at www.shepherdscornerwv.org.
If you would like to support their work financially, checks can be sent to:
Shepherd’s Corner
PO Box 101
Bridgeport, WV 26330
If you have questions or wish to volunteer, contact the Shepherd’s Corner staff at (304) 842-6352.
Why Bridgeport? Shepherd's Corner is one example of hundreds, if not thousands, of ways the citizens, businesses, and institutions in Bridgeport give back. We take care of our own, but we also extend our philanthropy to those in our region, state, country, and the world. We fully embrace the sentiment behind Thomas Fuller’s message and believe in a biblical view of charity. “In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
Editor's Note: Photos show volunteers and workers in the top two images, while the third photo shows the building and the bottom photo is of some of the items available.
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