About Us

Meal Schedule

Click here to view the meal schedule.

Our History

The Open Door Mission started out of Ernie Blanchette’s concern for having a shelter in Glens Falls. After a feasibility study, it was determined that a soup kitchen was of more immediate need.

The Open Door served its first 13 hot meals from an RV in Peter Shabat’s parking lot off of South Street in Glens Falls, NY, on September 5, 1991. When it became too cold to serve outdoors, Peter Mastrangelo (representing Glens Falls National Bank) offered us the bank’s “community room,” and later, a store front on South Street. In October of 1993, we were offered an incredible opportunity to move into our current home of 24 South Street.

The Open Door is a Christian ministry dedicated to reaching out and serving the hunger needs of the poor and homeless of our community. This is accomplished through the daily provision of hot, nutritious meals served in a friendly, welcoming environment. We offer this care to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion.

We have grown from our initial provision of 1 meal a week for 13 people to a six (6) day feeding operation, producing more than 5,000 meals each month (covering the gaps for the Glens Falls area for free meals being served). We distribute gleaned food items to over 30 groups/agencies in the Greater Glens Falls area and to approximately 800+ people in the Greater Glens Falls area (targeting individuals and families that are in great need and are not in current receipt of other assistance or services).

Currently, The Open Door employs only the Director, his assistant, and a head chef. All other staffing is accomplished by means of volunteers (400+) representing the local tri-county area.

In addition to hot meals and emergency food support, the program provides guests with encouragement for daily living, including sponsorship of our own 12-Step program, haircuts, an informal mentoring program, informal monitoring of elder, spouse and child abuse and neglect, and provision of support to continue in community-based substance abuse, mental health, and probation programs. Information, referral, and advocacy are regularly provided. All services and programs are provided free of charge.

Joan and Ernie Blanchette

Our Staff and History

Below are the employees of The Open Door.

Bruce D. Hersey,

Executive Director

Bruce is the Executive Director of The Open Door Mission. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of The Open Door, he also is a NYS DOC chaplain. Bruce has been involved in various ministerial work for over 30 years, including pastoring several churches, working in prison aftercare ministries, hospital chaplain work, and drug-rehabilitation work. Bruce was instrumental in the start and initial running of The Open Door, and has most recently been the executive director since 2004.

Marybeth Mitcham,

Assistant to the Director

Marybeth is the director's assistant. Her tasks include: responsibility of maintaining the office, scheduling of volunteers, filing of paperwork, grant and funding work, maintaining the website, and working with the director on day-to-day running of The Open Door.

Deborah Hersey,

Assistant Director

Debbie currently is volunteering her time to aid Bruce during the serving of the dinner meals at The Open Door, functioning as the unpaid Assistant Director. A veteran of over 30 years of ministry, Debbie is currently working as an educational consultant and homeschool coordinator, aiding several local homeschooled families in their efforts to educate their children. Her educational background, and attention to detail and organization makes her a wonderful addition to The Open Door!

Linda Combs,

Head Chef

Linda is the Head Cook. After helping out part time during the summer of 2008, she joined us full time as Head Cook September 3rd 2008.

Linda has experience in cooking for large groups (is an excellent chef!), has an extensive background in working with people in various ministries, and has a heart for missions. We are very blessed to have her on-staff here!