Jan 20, 2017 1 min read

A local group will soon resume offering help to the area’s needy after a sewer backup closed the ministry’s building for more than a month.

Washington Christian Outreach will reopen Tuesday. Jeanne Allender, founder of the ministry, said the group closed its center at 119 Highland Ave. after drains in both bathrooms backed up Dec. 18 during a heavy early morning rain.

The center was initially expected to reopen Jan. 2, but that was delayed because the work, which included cleanup and repairs, took longer than expected.

“Everything’s sanitized and done,” Allender said. “It’s been an experience.”

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays to serve a meal, hold a worship service and distribute clothes and other donated items. Between 170 and 250 people visit the center daily, Allender said.

The backup also forced the group to cancel the Christmas dinner it planned to serve the following day. Allender said the group immediately froze the turkeys it planned to serve and will host a makeup event.

“I’m looking forward to that dinner in February,” she said. “It’s just too bad it had to happen at the time it did.”