Full Hours and Services Restored with COVID-19 Precautions Implemented

At the start of the pandemic, we took several measures to keep our staff and neighbors-in-need safe. We altered our hours from 10:00am - 6:00pm to 10:00am – 3:00pm to discourage congregating. We closed our buildings to the public because they are only large enough to allow for social distancing with our staff and volunteers. This meant we had to suspend our laundry and shower services, to ensure the safety of every who serves and is served. It was a difficult decision for us, but our neighbors are in some of the highest vulnerability groups. Most of our people have health conditions that put them at risk, many are seniors, a significant number are homeless, and almost all are racially more susceptible to the virus and we have an obligation to their health and wellness to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus from reaching them. We worked with the City of Montgomery to install a hand-washing basin on our property, switched to serving meals to-go and outdoors, and started delivering meals to our home-bound seniors and single-mothers who contracted COVID.

However, I’m happy to share with you that as of this week we’re back open 10:00am – 6:00pm with our full services restored. After careful research, planning, and consulting public health experts, we’re able to offer showers and laundry service by appointment and in compliance with full CDC guidelines. We’re confident these measures are safe and in the best interest of our community. Many of our neighbors are unable to shower or conduct basic personal hygiene without us and the demand for clothes from our clothing closet increased dramatically because our friends weren’t able to do laundry. We’re happy to be able to serve them in this way again and we’re grateful to you for your partnership in being able to acquire new tools and adapt to the changing circumstances during this pandemic.

With this change in operating we are in need of mesh laundry bags and gloves. If you are able to donate either of these items, please reach out to us or bring them by the Mercy House Monday through Friday between 10:00am and 6:00pm. We are able to serve God’s people both because of you and with you, thank you.

God Bless,
Pastor Ken Austin