OUTLOOK 2024: Prince of Peace growing its programs

Feb. 23—FARRELL — The Prince of Peace Center in Farrell continues to morph and grow its programs, says Jennifer Wallace, chief executive officer.

"We have our mission for our stores," Wallace said.

Everything in the thrift store is donated. Anything from furniture to clothing and household items are donated.

"We receive people's treasures," Wallace said.

Everything in the thrift store has a price tag on it.

"Because if we can sell it and make money right into emergency assistance, we do that," Wallace said. "It's not so we can show a profit, because we don't."

The price tags are because there are thrifters and antique dealers paying money that goes right back into helping others.

Someone would qualify for emergency assistance if, for instance, they had a fire or just left a relationship and needed everything.

"We sit down with that person," Wallace said. "If they need a mattress, dishes, pots and pans, we give them that. We don't charge them."

Wallace estimates that the center assisted 8,500 people last year with household items, clothing, furniture and other items that went through the thrift store.

That's not just from people walking into the building. For instance, Walmart donated nine pallets of clothing that the Prince of Peace Center was not allowed to sell, they could only give them away. The center delivered the clothing to several places in the county, including schools, nursing homes, churches, hospitals, daycare centers and the Joshua's Haven shelter.

"Nurses from local schools came down and shopped," Wallace said. "We got rid of 7,500 pairs of socks. Those nine palettes of clothing were a blessing. The truck drivers were tired because we don't have storage."

About 1,000 people were assisted with furniture.

The Prince of Peace Center also has a monthly food distribution through the Food Bank of Mercer County.

Last year, 4,138 people were served 17,366 hot meals. In 2022, 13,000 hot meals were served.

"People come in monthly and pick up food on Thursdays and the staff delivers to seven of the senior high rises the following Tuesday," Wallace said. "That's a busy time for us."

They served 175 seniors monthly in 2023.

"That number is pretty impressive to me," Wallace said.

Then the center has their twice weekly soup kitchen meal.

"These are hot meals that anybody in the community can come and get Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m." Wallace said.

Pre-COVID, they were serving 75 meals per week. They're up to 400 per week now.

Volunteers work in the kitchen and thrift store. Last year there were 200 volunteers that logged 10,200 hours.

"The volunteers are so important to us here because of what they do for us," Wallace said.

Other programs come under the emergency assistance, crisis intervention and case management departments at the Prince of Peace Center.

There were 265 participants that came into the center for 118 hours of education provided.

Forty-two of those hours were provided to youths. The training included a narcan drug-overdose training, partnering with the Hermitage Youth Police Academy. Fourteen children attended that class. The other class was a firearm safety classm which attracted 19 youngsters.

"They were packed in that room. It's amazing," Wallace said. "The firearm safety is basically: You see it. Don't touch it. Call an adult you can trust. Get away from it. Do not pick it up. It was pretty important."

The center also assists people with rent, mortgage, security deposits and utilities. They were able to help 13,330 with these in 2023. They also paid out $900 in transportation and $16,470 in utilities assistance.

They also assist with bus passes and gas cards. In 2023, 140 people came in the door for non-monetary assistance for these purposes.

Also, the center had 140 homeless people come to them for assistance.

"That's pretty significant," Wallace said.

Other giveaways include the Halloween giveaways, which provided 100 costumes to people registered for programs. Around Christmastime, there's a toy giveaway, and another is back-to-school. The back-to-school giveaway includes new underwear and socks. About 441 people participated in the giveaways.

The center always has fundraising events. Fat Tuesday, which was Feb. 13 and the Annual Bowl-A-Thon, which is March 10 in Thornton Hall.

"We have a lot of moving parts to Prince of Peace," Wallace said. "If anyone ever wants a tour, they're welcome to come down."

Wallace will soon be resigning her position as chief executive officer. Her tenure will be up in June, and the board is interviewing for her replacement.

"The strategic plan is in place," Wallace said. "I think there's lots of work to be done. I just don't think I'm the person to lead that, but I think somebody's else's vision would be a good thing."

Follow Melissa Klaric on twitter @HeraldKlaric or email her at mklaric@sharonherald.com