Backed up Mail System Could Delay Rescue Mission’s Year-End Appeals

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley‘s final fundraising appeal for 2020 could be in jeopardy as year-end letters to supporters are stuck at the post office.

The Rescue Mission also wants donors to be able to receive their tax benefits for 2020, according to a release.

“We know that the postal service is doing all they can to keep the mail moving, especially during this busy time of year, nevertheless it appears our year-end mailing is running later than expected and will not make it to donors before December 31,” said President/CEO John M. Muckridge III. “But we know that the Lord is in control and with all the things that have caught us off guard in 2020, this is no surprise to the Lord and He will meet our needs.”

Support from the response to the letters allows the Rescue Mission to provide services to up to 100 men, women and children at the shelter nightly, as well as hundreds who are fed daily, according to the release. With three days left in December, the organization has yet to receive any gifts by mail specified for year-end giving because of the postal delay.

The Rescue Mission typically receives more than half of its annual support during the last three months of the year, Muckridge said.

“December is a critical month for our fundraising,” he said. “We are asking folks to make their year-end gift now. Please don’t let the delay in mail delay your response to meeting the needs of those less fortunate in our community. Every gift of every size truly makes a difference.”

Donations can be made online at RescueMissionMV.org or mailed to Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, 962 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Youngstown, OH 44510. Contributions received or postmarked on or before Dec. 31 are tax-deductible for 2020.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.