It’s been about a year since Harbor Country Mission opened up its warehouse on Red Arrow Highway in Bridgman, and the place has taken off. The mission’s David Heyn tells WSJM News he was a pastor when he and his wife started collecting items for those in need. They just kept things like coffeemakers and clothing in a closet, but soon realized a lot of people needed help.
“We just saw there really is a need for something like this, and so we found this awesome location, and it’s its own non-profit now,” Heyn said.
The location was a storage space at 9600 Red Arrow Highway that hadn’t been used in years. Heyn says Harbor Country Mission managed to raise $65,000 in two months to buy the place so they could put it to good use. Now, they give away everything from mattresses to cars to appliances to clothes.
“Any family that’s on a low or fixed income, food assistance, going through a hard time, gets five free items every single week.”
Heyn says volunteers make it possible to keep Harbor Country Mission open every day from 11 to 5. He says they have a passion for helping the working poor.
“The working and rural poor are many times hustling trying to make it, and just a small expense can really turn into something that gets them closer to that edge of major turmoil. When you think of that caliber, of people at risk or people that are struggling financially, we’re talking a good chunk of our society.”
The mission also helps the rural homeless, who Heyn says can find themselves living in motels or in rustic camping cabins. The mission takes donations and could use volunteers. Heyn says the most commonly needed items are frying pans, clothing, and mattresses. You can find out more about Harbor Country Mission at its Facebook page.
