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Organization that helps people now finds itself needing help
(by Christine Bryant, Eastside Editor - October 27, 2009)
An organization that helps Eastside residents get back on their feet is now in need of help itself.
Joseph's Coat Clothing and Furniture Ministry, an interdenominational community project, recently opened its doors at a new, larger location to assist a growing number of residents whose basic needs such as clothing weren't being met.
At an open house Oct. 18, more than 200 families visited the new location on McCormick Boulevard. Then came word the next day that beginning Dec. 1, Joseph's Coat must once again find a new home.
"Ironically, after having many visitors and new customers, we now find ourselves in a real dilemma," said Joann Barrett, coordinator of the project. "Our ministry, which serves the needy, finds itself needy, and in fact, homeless."
Earlier this year, Joseph's Coat volunteers began searching for a new location after outgrowing its original location on Waggoner Road. ProLogis, a business that specializes in leasing distribution facilities, donated 50,000 square feet of a warehouse in the Columbus Corporate Center off Brice Road until that space could be filled by a tenant, Barrett said. In that event, ProLogis agreed to give Joseph's Coat 30 days notice, she said.
Although ProLogis has offered to move the organization to another location in Hilliard, Joseph's Coat organizers say they want to stay on the Eastside near the people they serve.
"Our former location in Reynoldsburg is too small for the expanded program, and is also no longer available," Barrett said. "We have no place to go back to."
Joseph's Coat offers clothing, household items and furniture free to needy families referred by agencies such as Faith Mission, YMCA Family Center, Neighborhood House, Bryden House and Maryhaven, and to people in need who hear about the ministry by word of mouth.
Created in 1998, the organization is a community project through Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Pius Catholic and Parkview Presbyterian Church.
To contact Joseph's Coat, call (614) 863-1371.
| Comments (1) |
On October 28, 2009 Joann said:
Thank you so much for coming to our aid in getting the word out that we now need a "home" for our ministry.
We will let you know where we are moving to as soon as God informs us!
God's blessings,
Joann |
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