Each year, Opportunity House provides emergency shelter for veterans who are homeless. The scars of war last far beyond their service and can impact their daily lives.
Opportunity House provides a safe place for veterans to stay, hot meals, showers, and access to laundry facilities, in addition to connecting them with vital services within the community and through the Veterans Administration, including the local VA hospitals.
On Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, OppShop, located at 3045 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township, will be hosting a donation drive to help homeless veterans. By donating your gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, housewares, cookware, bedding, and books, you help veterans receive the support and services they need as they rebuild their lives. Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the donation center of OppShop located at the rear of the store.
Modesto Fiume, president of Opportunity House, noted, “Every day, we open our doors to veterans who have nowhere else to turn. This drive is essential to let our veterans know they are not forgotten.”
OppShop is a vital resource to both veterans and the community at large by providing affordable items for people who are struggling to make ends meet. Items that are not sold are recycled as part of Opportunity House’s Reuse & Recycle Program. “This year, we’ll divert 1 million pounds from the landfill,” noted Fiume. “All proceeds from OppShop and the Reuse & Recycle program support the programs and services of Opportunity House.”
Many veterans in our community are struggling. They stay at Opportunity House for longer periods of time because of the lack of affordable housing. They need the basics—clothing and shoes while they are here. When they leave, they often need household necessities like a bed, bedroom suit, a kitchen table and chairs, cookware, dishes, and other essential furniture and appliances for everyday living.
This Veteran’s Day, you can make a difference in the lives of the men and women who served our nation and now are homeless.
Since 1984, Opportunity House has been providing emergency shelter for men, women, children, and veterans in our community. Each year, over 500 people will seek shelter as they rebuild their lives.
The Second Street Learning Center offers Keystone 4-Star quality early childhood education to over 200 students. By providing quality childcare, parents can work or go to school to improve their lives while their children are becoming life-long learners.
