Board of Directors

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Dina Hurdle, Chairman

(Chair@perquimansopendoor.com)

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Rosemary Smith, Executive Director 

Vacant - Director, Perquimans County DSS

Brandy Christian, Treasurer

(treasurer@perquimansopendoor.com

Judy Lampley, Secretary

Jacqueline Frierson - Vice Chair

Dario Ruvarac - Hertford Baptist Pastor

Kim Stites - Holy Trinity Representative

Rev. Tom Hallberg - Hertford UMC Representative

Walker Rayburn

Carmen Lopez

Rodney Lyons

Valerie Price

History

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The Open Door has been serving the people of Perquimans County since 1980.

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1980-Established by Nuns Sister Helen Scanlon, Sister Pat Winder, Sister Audrey, Sister Gloria, and Julian Miller of Catholic Social Services of Hertford, NC. The Open Door was first located in the Broughton Building on the corner of Church and Market Street in Hertford. Soon after, it relocated to the Old Ice Plant and Freezer Locker (present location of Hertford Fire Department.

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1985-The Open Door was granted 501(c)3 status

by the IRS.  EIN# 58-1492428

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1994-North Carolina recognized the food pantry as a non-profit organization and granted it the status of a corporation.

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July 1996-The Open Door moved to Winfall in the location of J&N Supply Company and Weigh Station on HWY 37.

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June 2002-The Open Door moved to

Apple Tree Mall in Winfall.

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2017-As the needs of the community grew, The Open Door outgrew its location yet again. After 15 years at its previous location, The Open Door began serving clients at its current location at 220 D Ocean HWY South in Hertford. This move provided more space for pantry operations, better customer access, and better parking.

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March 2020-The Open Door quickly developed a "Corona Virus Protection Plan" that allowed the pantry to continue serving clients while ensuring the protection and safety of both volunteers and clients.

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In 2020, The Open Door celebrated its 40th anniversary. The mission is simple and is the same today as it was in 1980: "To assist the people in need in Perquimans County by fighting hunger and poverty through direct assistance, and wise and just stewardship of the gifts God has entrusted to us." Our church sponsors, dedicated volunteers, community supporters, and generous donors have allowed us to keep The Open Door operating during good times and difficult times. 

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In 2021, The Open Door Food Pantry continued to operate under the March, 2020 "Corona Virus Protection Plan" which was implemented to ensure the safety of both volunteers and clients. The Open Door has 110 volunteers who work in teams and under the supervision

of Rosemary Smith, Executive Director who keeps everything running flawlessly.

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Clients

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Our clients are recommended to The Open Door by churches and social service agencies. Walk-ins are also welcome. Each client is interviewed to assess their eligibility and need. Volunteers then provide basic food, laundry products, and personal care items based on household size.

Partnerships

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The Open Door Food Pantry partners with regional and national organizations that are dedicated to eliminating hunger in our country.

Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization with a nationwide network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries. There is a program in every county in the nation. Feed America serves over 40 million people at risk for hunger, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors.

Food Bank of the Albemarle is a member of Feeding America and serves 15 counties in Northeast NC. They serve 100 hunger relief partners that include over 145 programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, day care centers, backpack programs, mobile food pantries, shelters, adult day care centers, and supplemental food assistance programs.

The Open Door is a member agency of Food Bank of the Albemarle and receives food and a varlety of services.

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Food and Financial Support

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Funds and Direct Food Donations provided by:

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• Perquimans County Churches

• Community Organizations

• Individual Donations

• Local Farmers (Donate surplus crops)

• Business Grants

• Government Grants

• FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Grant (EFSP)

• Vidant Chowan Community Benefit Grant from Vidant Health Foundation

• Albemarle Community Trust Grant

• The Food Lion Grocery Store of Hertford (Donates surplus food and dry goods weekly)

• The Hertford United Methodist Church organizes an annual Thanksgiving "Turkey Drop" every November.