Old Savannah City Mission celebrates $1 million in renovations, plans shelter for women
Situated above the window where the Old Savannah City Mission serves its meals sits a plaque with a dedication to two people: Hilda and the late Mario de la Guardia Sr. The family, along with their son Mario de la Guardia Jr., founded Savannah-based hair care and cosmetics company Strength of Nature Inc.
Behind the wall holding the plaque is a newly renovated kitchen, flush with open space, a restaurant-style stove and vent, and walls of shelving. Those at the Mission say the new kitchen and dining area at the group’s rehabilitation facility on 2414 Bull St. would not have been possible without the de la Guardia family, who helped fund the improvements.
“Recognition is great, but the giving is better,” de la Guardia Jr. said.
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The facility’s updates were dedicated on Saturday afternoon, celebrating about $1 million in improvements that revamped the kitchen, dining area and administrative offices. The event was celebrated by staff, donors, and students of the Mission’s 13-month residential program. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, who donates to the mission, was also in attendance.
Included in the renovations were an upgraded kitchen and dining space that now has the capacity to feed 100 people at a time, according to a press release announcing the event. This upgrade to the Mission’s food space contributes to one of its central services: providing three meals a day to those in need.
“We are more than a homeless shelter,” said Executive Director Larry McDaniel. “We are a Gospel rescue mission.”
The meals are one avenue for people in need to enter the Mission’s residential program. One program graduate, Nathaniel Johnson, spoke about how the organization has made him a better person and a better father.
After graduating from the residential program, Johnson now works on-site manning the front desk. He is one of the first faces people see when they enter.
“I just owe everything to (Old) Savannah Mission,” Nathaniel Johnson said.
McDaniel told a story from a recent afternoon where an employee came his office and told him: “The Mayor just came by.” McDaniel soon learned it was for no special reason, the mayor was just dropping off his donation, McDaniel recalled to the attendees.
Mayor Johnson opened his remarks with a riff on the good Samaritan story, telling of a man fallen among thieves traveling from River St.. When the Samaritan of the story came along, he took the man to Old Savannah City Mission, Johnson told.
“I am so grateful for the Old Savannah City Mission,” Johnson said. “I do believe in it because of the proof in the pudding.
“The proof is in the lives.”
At one point during Saturday’s ceremony, McDaniel unveiled the Mission’s future plans. Given the organization currently only houses men overnight, it plans to turn its parking lot into an overnight space for women.
The organization will begin fundraising soon, with a goal of $4 million. The new space will hold multiple stories of four bedroom units that include in-unit bathrooms.
“I encourage everyone in Savannah, every donor, to really step up this year in 2024 to give more,” de la Guardia Jr. said, “because there is a great vision coming out of this organization, coming out of the Old Savannah City Mission.”
Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at elasseter@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Old Savannah City Mission celebrates $1 million in renovations
