Despite small businesses across the country suffering during these difficult times, Rosedale Mills is taking it upon itself to help others. Since the start of the pandemic, Rosedale Mills has given back in numerous ways to the community. “America’s Country Store,” as Rosedale Mills is widely known, has done this despite feeling the impact of the pandemic itself, making this store a model of community service even during difficulty.
In the Hopewell Valley, many families struggling to feed themselves unfortunately do not have the resources to feed their pets. To help these families continue to afford food for their pets, Elizabeth Schreiber from Rosedale Mills states, “We coordinated and continue to coordinate with the Crossings Animal Society to provide people who cannot afford to feed their pets to give them food at no cost.” Schreiber added that “Crossings uses donations to support this program,” urging everyone with the means to do so to donate to this wonderful cause.
Rosedale Mills has helped animals in other ways as well. For EASEL Animal Shelter, Schreiber explains, “We have hosted their volunteers and dogs needing adoption.” Record numbers of adoptions have occurred during the pandemic, and Rosedale Mills continues to help provide a safe space to carry out the logistics of adoptions. For organizations dedicated to helping feral cats, Schreiber states that Rosedale Mills has “bagged loose straw for people who manage feral cats.”
Besides helping animals, Rosedale Mills has continued to support the livelihoods of many people here in Hopewell Valley. One of those people is Jeremy Duncan, a popular line dancing teacher in the community. Schreiber explains, “We have allowed [Jeremy] to hold his line dancing class outside [Rosedale Mills]. We had to obtain a separate insurance policy at our own cost and we maintain the area so that it is safe for the activity. We do this at no charge to Jeremy.”
In addition to this, Rosedale Mills has found ways to donate merchandise it no longer needs. For instance, Schreiber states how Rosedale Mills has given “broken bags and products we can no longer retail to the community, rescues, and sanctuaries. Horse feed, chicken feed, dog food, cat food. Even grass seed and fertilizer.”
The pandemic has devastated communities across the Country. Yet here in Hopewell Valley, Rosedale Mills continues to serve as a model of giving back no matter how hard the times are. In the process, this store has inspired others to find creative ways to give back, a lesson we can all take to heart.
*If you would like to learn more about Rosedale Mills, visit https://rosedalemills.com/.*
