The mission has been serving those in need by providing food, groceries and other essential items, but a lost a key donor (the North American Mission Board) this past year, causing it to run a deficit of between $4,000 to $6,000 per month.
Pastor Felix Russo, who took over as director of the New Life Mission one year ago, made a public plea for help and the response was more than he could imagine.
“We had a real good response shortly after it was announced that we needed help,” Russo said. “We now know that we are good throughout the end of the year. Maybe a little bit after that.”
In order to take care of bills that threatened to close the doors, Russo said $10,000 would be needed to “get everything to zero.”
“Right now we have raised $12,000,” he said. “It has really been overwhelming to see the response from people. The people of this community really mobilized and that also put us in touch with people who may become long-term donors. The people in this city are amazing and kind.”
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He added the goal is to shore up the long-term donor situation so that the mission can keep operating without the possibility of having to close.
“We obviously welcome big or corporate donors, but we also have to have a strong grassroots, community list of donors to survive,” Russo said. “I was looking at the numbers and if we had 250 people giving $25 a month that would shore up our shortfall from losing a big donor.”
A jazz and food fundraiser has been planned for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at First Baptist Church, 1501 Pyramid Blvd. in Hamilton.
Russo said anyone who would like to help can make a tax deductible donation can mail it to: New Life Mission, P.O. BOX 68, Hamilton, Ohio, 45012 or visit the non-profit's website at www.missionhamilton.org to donate via PayPal.
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