Upper Room Mission in ‘financial distress’, closing temporarily and launching fundraiser

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission is temporarily closing its doors due to financial strain.

Noami Rouck, general manager of the non-profit agency that helps the less fortunate, said they are in huge financial distress and all the staff has been laid off.

The Upper Room Mission Boutique is also temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Upper Room Mission has been struggling for quite a while. People tend to think that we’re funded through the government, but we’re not. We solely survive off of financial donations, our events, and our boutique,” Rouck said. “To keep the Mission going, we are holding a campaign if people can have a little bit of heart and understanding to help us out in this time of need. I know everyone is struggling at this point, but we do need to look after our low-income families, our seniors, and our people that are on the street.”

Rouck said she will continue to help Vernon’s hungry and will make and hand-out an estimated 50 bagged sandwich lunches for those in need every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the facility on 27th Avenue.

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“I will try to keep the Mission afloat on my own for as long as possible,” Rouck said. “Hopefully people can see that we are trying and we are not abandoning anybody.”

The campaign, $40 for 40 years of service, is open now.

Donations can be made in person at the Upper Room Mission on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., or via e-transfer to administration@vernonurm.org.