Albany Rescue Mission in recovery but still can use some help

ALBANY – Faced with rising costs, including a $6,000 monthly utility bill, the Albany Rescue Mission was struggling earlier this summer and questioning whether it would still be able to continue offering a place for those in need of shelter.

After 38 years, the staff feared during the spring that it could be forced to shut down as expenses, including the re-opening last year of a separate shelter for women and children, grew beyond revenues. The ministry began when founder Larry Hample opened the doors of his own house to homeless individuals.

Donations picked up after a TV news story aired, but keeping the doors open for the long haul will require a steady infusion of donations, operators said.

“I feel like we’re all a paycheck away from the same situation, especially in this economy,” women’s shelter Director Kelly Smith said, a comment that applies to both the residents and the Rescue Mission itself.

The mission operates as a Christian ministry and church that holds services. Income from the thrift store operation and tithes from those church services, along with donations from individuals and organizations through money or goods, are the main sources of support.

Currently, the ministry is housing about 20 men at its site on North Monroe Street as well as seven women and two children at the women’s shelter at an undisclosed location. In addition, the mission provides clothing vouchers and provides three to five food bags each day to provide nutrition to families that are struggling.

The shelter is the one of the only ones in the city that accepts people for any reason, Amanda Lamb, who is the mission’s director of its men’s shelter, outreach and public relations, said. There are other local shelters available, but those mostly are open to victims of domestic violence or alcohol and drug recovery.

All residents are asked to donate toward the operation and are required to work if possible.

“All the guys and gals work,” Lamb said. “We help them find a job, help with resumes, driver’s licenses, Social Security, anything they need to help them. If they can’t find work, they work in the ministry; they work at the thrift store, clean the chapel, work in the kitchen.”

Financial circumstances have improved, but there are still needs. The 106-year-old building where the men live could use a renovation, which would increase occupancy from around 20 to about 45.

“God is providing right now,” Lamb said. “We are definitely recovering. We can’t do this without the community. We are so grateful for the willing vessels. We just can’t thank them enough. We also appreciate the other ministries that have sown seeds into our ministry.” 

Smith asked the community to keep the mission in mind going forward. 

“We still could be (struggling) if people don’t … it takes a village,” she said. “We just have to keep people aware that we are here and doing things. If people are homeless and they need help and we have a bed, we take them in.”

Current needs are for food to feed residents and for food bags, including large and small canned vegetables, fruit and soup, hamburger meat, hot dogs, sausages, pork chops and eggs, bottled water, cleaning supplies, including bleach, paper towels and Pine-Sol, cooking oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder, food trays, and white garbage bags.

Individuals and groups can drop off items, and monetary donations also may be dropped off or mailed to the 604 N. Monroe St., 31701 office location. To make monetary donations online, visit https://albanyrescuemission.org/.