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To the Editor:

OBX Room In The Inn just finished its third month of our season of food, shelter, and clothing for those in need.

In total for the first three months, 727 room nights and 2181 meals have been provided.

We have been steady with only one bed left for men during most of January and few women. Peer counselors/chaperones, board members, and organization members join us for dinner and conversation.

In January, our average age for the month is 48 years. We have an 80-year-old who brings our average up a bit. Year-To-Date our average age is 45.

Thank you to all who supported our “Food To Go” and our “Doubling Hope” matching gifts sponsored by General P.X. Kelley Memorial Fund, Jane Webster, Kelly’s OBX Catering, Southern Bank, and TowneBank.

In January our new partner, the Lucky 12, which chose us as the beneficiary of its 12 Bars of Christmas pass sales, presented us with a $1800 check!

Grace Lutheran held two fundraisers in December that had a huge impact on our guests. Early in the month they hosted a Christmas concert by Duo Romantico and Friends and all month a shoe tree. On Dec. 27, all our guests went shopping for new shoes of their choice.

Jarvisburg Christian Academy Second Grade Class of Patti Poplos hosted a “Sock Drive” and donated 400 pairs of socks. The Water’s Edge Village School made sack lunches and collected donations on MLK Day. The Girl Scouts from Manteo dropped off donations they collected and baked goods.

SECU donated a sofa and chairs from their office remodel and provided a BBQ meal. We have received numerous donations of food from events, and we are very grateful for those donations.

We were blessed no question, but we can’t forget those who give monthly and who participated in our Holiday Appeal and Giving Tuesday.

A special thank you to Manteo Baptist, COA Food Service, Kitty Hawk Methodist, Kitty Hawk Baptist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Jewish Community of the Outer Banks, Bethany UMC, Holy Redeemer, Grace Lutheran, Outer Banks Presbyterian, Pigman’s BBQ, Target, Frances and Gary Burden, Felicia Daniels, Vusicobx, Fresh Market, Sam & Omies, Max Pizza, and David and Patti Shufflebarger for blessing those in need and OBX Room In The Inn in December and January with their support.

We survived the holidays even with Covid in the shelter. Our team deserves all the appreciation for keeping the shelter open and clean during a Covid catastrophe.

Thank you to everyone for supporting those in need and for partnering with Room In The Inn! It truly takes a village!

To whom much is given, much is required,

Shari Fiveash

Executive Director

Room In The Inn OBX

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