free store newsletter

7/27/2019 Free Store Newsletter

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This summer, the UnitedMethodist Free Store staff andkey volunteers are launching anew initiative by going to meetwith pastors and leaders of partner congregations. These

“Free Store Ambassadors” aregoing forth to share the FreeStore story. At the same time,the ambassadors are listening toour partners share about theirexperiences and theirrecommendations about how toimprove these mission

collaborations.

Mr. Tom Hamer, volunteer atthe Free Store, is makingcontacts with the first round of partners and setting up face-to-face visits at each local church.

The ambassadors plan to visitwith 2 to 3 churches each

month.

"I am looking forward torenewing these contacts andmaking new friends," says Tom.“These visits will provide anopportunity for team members

to share what the Free Storemeans to them, each from their

own perspective.

The goal is to strengthen theconnection between the Free

Store and our long-term partnerchurches, while reaching outover time to new churches andinviting them to get involved.Each partnership is unique. Tobe successful, every partnershipshould generate positive,passionate mission experiences

that grow over time.

“I am very grateful for our pastand present dedicatedvolunteers with specialremembrance to those who

have passed on,” says Selena Jackson, Assistant Director of the Free Store. “I look forwardto having new volunteers join

our family.”

For more information please email TomHamer: [email protected] orcontact Community Development for All

People at 614-445-7342.

Building Relationships with Partner Churches

Director’s Spotlight: Three Generations

A few weeks ago, a woman

walked in to the UnitedMethodist Free Store requestinga new blue membership card.As she handed me her oldmembership card, I immediatelyrecognized the low numbers atthe bottom. This card was fromthe Free Store 14 years ago! Asshe told me her story, I was soglad to hear how much the Free

Store had helped her

throughout the years. Initially,we helped her with clothes forher ten children. As her childrengrew up and had children of their own she ended up raisingseveral of them and once againbenefited from the fruits of the

Free Store.On this particular shopping

trip, she came in for her great

granddaughter. She praised The

Free Store, for without thegenerous donations of clothingshe said she couldn’t have madeit. I praise her for her love,devotion and support of herchildren. I too give thanks for

the offerings of the Free Store.

Blessings,

July 2013Volume 1, Issue 1

Your Free Store

ConnectionSpecial points of

interest:

The Free Store Gets

A Makeover

Back To School:School Supplies

Needed

Facts About TheFree Store

Items Most Needed

Inside this issue:

Wilbur's Special

Find

2

VolunteerSpotlight

2

DonationsContinue to Blessthe Free Store

2

Back to SchoolEvent: SuppliesNeeded!

3

Free Store Gets aMakeover

3

Facts About TheFree Store

3

Donations: HowYou Can Help

4

Meet The Staff

Sharon Allen, Director of the United

Methodist Free Store

Selena Jackson, Assistant Director of the

United Methodist Free Store



Walk into any Free Storeacross America, and you’ll finda fair share of unusual items.

Whether its Marvel Comics,humorous figurines, or dinnerplates from Bob Evans, WilburSmith, 88, has seen it all.

Wilbur has been a loyalvolunteer at the Free Storesince it first opened in Januaryof 1999. Today, Wilburattributes his good health tohis work at the donationsdoor at the back of the FreeStore. In the photo to the left,Wilbur proudly displays a coin

collection and a pastel, glassvase. “The best part of my jobis who I get to talk to when I’m

back there,” says Wilbur.

His daughter, Elaine Keckley isalso a member at Church forAll People. Elaine is aretired nurse from The OhioState University and chairmanat the Staff and Parish RelationsCommittee (SPRC). She is alsoProfessor of Nursing atColumbus State CommunityCollege. In 2004, with thesupport of Church for AllPeople,

Elaine became inspired to starta nursing fair at Church for AllPeople, where her students can

serve shoppers at the FreeStore, and receive practicalexperience assisting patients.

The Free Store is truly gratefulfor our volunteers! Withoutvolunteers like Wilbur andElaine the Free Store wouldnot be possible. If you wouldlike to volunteer your churchor organization’s small groupplease contact Sharon Allen

at 614-443-1713.

We are continually blessedto receive far more than we

can give away.

As a result of your support

and continued giving, theFree Store has grown into ahospitable and nurturingenvironment where all

people can be involved.

Community meals areoffered during breakfast anddinner hours. Before thestore opens, people gather in

Gently used household items and

clothing continue to greatly support

the Free Store ministry.

worship and prayer, sharingwith one another their joys

and concerns.

Donations Hours:

Donation hours are Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, andSaturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m., Wednesday, 12 p.m. to3:30 p.m. and Friday, 1: 00 p.m.to 5:30 p.m. (See page four

for items most needed.)

Wilbur’s Special Find

Volunteer Spotlight

sing songs of praise as theyprepare for the day ahead.“Norma is my heart, and a very

dear friend,” saysSharon. “She brings such joyinto the lives of others, and

always looks so beautiful.”Despite long lines and a busyatmosphere, Norma invests inthe lives of Free Store

shoppers. “I enjoy talking topeople from all walks of life.When someone confides in me,I reach out to them and makesure I take that time to connect

with people,” says Norma. Likemany volunteers at the FreeStore, Norma receives farmore than she gives. “The FreeStore has made me a morecompassionate person. Godhas given me so much to bethankful for, and I want toshare that love with others.”

The Free Store is always inneed of volunteers to help sort,bag and distribute. If you wouldlike to volunteer at theFree Store please call Selena

Jackson (614) 443 -1713.

Your Free Store Connection

“The Free Store

has grown into a

hospitable and

nurturingenvironment

where all people

can be

involved.”

Fourteen years ago SharonAllen, Director of the FreeStore and volunteer, NormaHurt started workingtogether after Sharon madea request for volunteer helpduring a church service atChrist United MethodistChurch. Norma respondedto the call. Today these two

amazing women continue tosupport one another inministry. Every morning, ontheir commute to the FreeStore, Sharon and Norma

Free Store volunteer, Wilbur Smith

pictured with a coin collection and a vase.

Free Store volunteer, Norma Hurt

pictured with Sharon Allen, Director of

the Free Store.

Donations Continue To Bless The Free Store



It’s “Back to School” time again at the Free Store! Wewill be partnering with our neighborhood schools again

this year to provide school supplies for all the studentsat four of the local elementary schools. The parents andteachers were very grateful for the support provided lastyear, and they are very eager for the event again thisyear.

We will be packing the supplies August 12th throughAugust 14th. Clothing for all school age children isappreciated. New underclothes, socks, and uniforms(dark pants and skirts, and white tops) are needed.

Back To School Event Shopping List

Facts About The Free Store

Free Store Makeover

Volume 1, Issue 1

Jumbo Crayons

Jumbo Pencils

Blunt Scissors

Binders

Colored Pencils

24-Count Crayons

Erasers

Folders (3-prong

and 2 pockets)

Glue sticks

Highlighters

Ink Pens (Black/Blue)

MarkersLoose Leaf Notebook

Paper

No. 2 Pencils

Rulers

Spiral Notebooks

Scissors

On June 10, The Free Store began the task of renovating the downstairs Free Store space.Linoleum tile was replaced with light-oak flooring. A sun-kissed orange accent wallreplaced the white walls, giving the space ayouthful look. In addition, silver clothing rackswere added to maximize the amount of

clothing displayed.

Please stop by 946 Parsons Avenue during Free

Store hours to view the newly developedspace!

The Free Store has registered 41,227 households and represents 127,898 individuals. Of that number, approximately 13,704 are in a one-person households and 34 households have 10 or more children.

The Free Store serves a wide variety of families. Our members are fromevery zip code in the city as well as those in other states.

Over the past 13 years, we have given out in excess of 18,107,500items.

The conservative dollar amount that we have given back to thecommunity is about $17,776,585.00.

We have an average of 1000 households that shop one or more timesevery month. This represents a little more than 2000 individuals 2000

individuals who receive much needed things at no cost to them.

After Before

Local teens pose for a photo as they shop at the Free Store



United Methodist Free Store946 Parsons Avenue

P.O. Box 6063Columbus, OH 43206

Phone: 614-443-1713Fax: 614-449-7970

E-mail:Sharon Allen:

[email protected] Jackson:

[email protected]

Our VisionOur vision is for a whole, healthy, and engaged community where All People are empowered to pursuetheir hopes, dreams, and aspirations; where lives are transformed by faith and trust, and personal fulfillmentis experienced through the abundance of God’s love and grace.

Our MissionTo bring our Vision to life, CD4AP catalyzes collaborations with key strategic partners to improve the quali-ty of life residents of the South Side through individuals and community services.

Our HistoryThe Free Store began in 1999 and provides free clothing and household goods to anyone who needsthem. It is an outward expression of God's unconditional love. Over 41, 000 families are members of the

Free Store and over $2 million dollars’ worth of goods were given away last year.

Volunteers NeededThe Free Store is always in need of volunteers! Come and make new friends and have a good time while

you are helping others! If you would like to volunteer your church at The Free Store pleasecontact Sharon Allen at (614) 443-1713

Items Most Needed

Freely Given And Freely Received

Household ItemsBlanketsTowels / WashclothsPillowsSmall appliances:e.g. (Toaster/Iron)MicrowaveT.V.Rugs large and smallShower Curtain/hooks

CurtainsDishesSilverwarePots and Pans

ClothingAll clothing particularly large menand womenShoes/Boots/Athletic ShoesMen/Women Underclothes

ToiletriesToothpaste/ToothbrushesDeodorantSoapRazors/Shaving CreamLotionShampoo/ConditionerCombs/Hair BrushesBaby DiapersFeminine hygiene items

Depends/Poise PadsPerfume/cologne

Connect with us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on FreeStore happenings. https://www.facebook.com/

CommunityDevelopmentForAllPeople.

Store Hours

Tuesday, Thursday and

Saturday 10 a.m. - 1:00 pmWednesday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday 3 - 6 p.m.(Doors locked 30 min before

closing)

Volunteer Hours

Monday, Tuesday,Thursday, Saturday

9 a.m.-1p.m.Wednesday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Are you tired of clutter in yourhouse? Is your closet overflowingwith clothes that just don’t fit?You can donate gently usedclothing and household items topeople in need at the Free Store.

No donation is too small to makean impact! This small yetsignificant act changes lives within

our community. Items can bedropped off at the rear of thestore during Free Store hours.

Contact Us

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