SCHENECTADY City Mission plans to close thrift shop Space needed to put more beds in men’s shelter a BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Every night, seven men may be sleeping on the floor at Schenectady’s City Mission because all the beds at the shelter are occupied. The adjacent dining hall that served 120,000 meals when it fi rst opened in 2006 now serves roughly 180,000 meals annually. Put succinctly, the City Mission needs more space and is running out of resources. The scarcity of space will prompt the City Mission to close its longtime thrift shop on Hamilton Street at the end of next month. Closing the thrift shop will mean several classrooms in the building housing the men’s shelter can be relocated into the 6,000-squarefoot thrift store, freeing up space for additional beds. Mike Saccocio, the City Mission’s executive director, acknowledged the decision to close the thrift shop was a difficult one. He said the choice was between offering an economical place to shop or providing need that is critical to the city’s indigent population. “This is a hard decision because it’s a good little store,” he said. “We know people enjoy it.” But Saccocio said the City Mission also needs to uphold its core value, which is to help the homeless. He said the City Mission will continue to operate its thrift store on Route 50 in Glenville, but simply couldn’t devise a way to keep the one in Schenectady open without running into logistical issues. “There’s only so much space on the campus,” he said. “The shelters and the dining center are essential to what we do.” The thrift shop employs one fulltime worker and three part-time workers, who Saccocio is trying to move to other positions within the City Mission. He said the store has operated as part of the mission for more than five decades, but no longer provides a critical source of income. “It is a good service locally, where people can get affordable items,” he said. “We don’t operate it to make revenue.” Saccocio said the complex won’t get out of offering secondhand goods altogether. Plans are now in the works to convert a small warehouse near the complex into a clothing shelter that will provide free items for people in need. ...............................>>>>......................>>>>.......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01101&AppName=1
Maybe Morris can donate some space in one of his many buildings
Morris do ANYTHING for the poor? GREAT JOKE!
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Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
The issue is WHY is there an increased need for 'beds'??? I thought things were getting better...no?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The issue is WHY is there an increased need for 'beds'??? I thought things were getting better...no?
Ask DV that question? He's the one who says things are getting better.
But you notice how he avoids posting much anymore. Pretends he ian't spending time on these boards. Hides himself (and his imaginary friends).
Pretends to not come one here because he can't answer our questions, he can't produce evidence for things that don't exist.
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Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
Why do you need more beds....????? many homeless and out of work people have given up......in this city...
OR they come here from out of the area knowing they will be taken care of...
Kudos for Saccocio......he is the only one I see giving any hope to all......a man to be applauded and respected....so instead of bringing no minds into this
discussion.....make this positive ....and understand......there is not empathy from the city officicals ...and this ONE MAN is doing good on his own....
Economy is fine- ask the liar Gillen or the President who said "The private sector is doing fine."
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Economy is fine- ask the liar Gillen or the President who said "The private sector is doing fine."
Another indicator of the condition of retail Downtown. Even the City Mission is closing. But Death Ray is talking to national retailers- lol. And McCheese is creating jobs- ROTFLMAO!
Like I said before.......if the city is doing so damn good.....why is there and increased need for more beds at the City Mission because some of these folks are sleeping on the FLOOR??
How many non-profits are there in schenectady? How many house the homeless? And there isn't enough beds???? OMG!!
McMayor and the METROPLEX/GILLEN are doing a grand job!!! NOT!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Closing City Mission Thrift Shop would be a big mistake
Re June 9 article, “City Mission plans to close thrift shop”: I was shocked to discover that the Schenectady City Mission Thrift Shop was slated to be closed. I have been a regular shopper there for three decades and can assure your readers that this action is a mistake of astronomical proportions. Every city is akin to a living, breathing organism. As such, there must be a heart. In Schenectady that heart beats most strongly in the City Mission Thrift Store. Established more than 40 years ago, it has supplied so much more than just affordable clothing and household items. It is a gathering place, a site where all are welcomed out of the elements to shop, chat or just take a moment to sit down and rest in the company of those who truly care about their fellow citizens. It is a regular stop on the daily routes of those who have limited means and a destination for those who are only afforded the occasional outing. I count myself lucky to have been one of those people for many years. The thrift store not only helps fund the shelter’s quest to assist the less fortunate through additional fi nancing, but allows many of the participants in the program to work and re-enter society with a sense of accomplishment. This “on-the-job” training improves the chances of participants achieving success in their future endeavors. We cannot assign a quantitative monetary value to this intangible benefit, but conversely, we cannot deny the qualitative effects on the people who are blessed to be a part of the program. I have seen firsthand the positive results of these efforts. But, the true “heart” of the City Mission store beats within the employees who work tirelessly, exhibiting patience and humor to make their workplace not merely a store but a haven. These people deserve our respect as well as our support. If you’re looking for a certain designer dress or the perfect lamp for your night stand, you may not find it this week; but it’s certainly worth checking back next week because, although the merchandise varies, you can always be sure to find warm smiles and helping hands there. As a community, we are exceptionally fortunate to reap the rewards that this organization affords us. Therefore, I urge you all to join me and say in one clear, strong voice: “Do not close the Schenectady City Mission Thrift Store!”
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