Marietta First Baptist Church began the Storehouse community outreach food and clothes pantry as an avenue to reach people’s spiritual needs by filling their physical needs. Chances are when the “open” flag is flying in front of the Storehouse, someone is sitting on the front steps waiting to step inside to a little piece of home, where they can receive a smile rather than a sneer and love rather than laughter.
Director Jan Moses organizes the clothes in one of the rooms of the Storehouse.Jan Moses, the director of the Storehouse, couldn’t be more perfect for the job. “I just love to reach people.”
As a member on the board of the Travelers Rest food pantry, Jan is well acquainted with the needs of others and has always had a burden to help people. However, it was not until June of 2006 that she began a clothes closet and food pantry in a back room of Marietta First.
In October of 2006, Marietta First purchased a house adjacent to the church property as a place to store the surmounting supply of food and clothes.
“The house looked big before we got everything in it.” Senior pastor Bennie Durham laughs, looking around at the full room of clothes, toys, a shelf of Bibles and Jan’s desk.
Each of the five rooms is organized well enough to put most department stores to shame. All of the clothes are arranged by size, style and category.
“Jan’s a very organized person.” Pastor Durham praises their director. “That’s why we put her in charge.”
The Storehouse is open twice a week – Monday morning and Thursday evening. When people come to the Storehouse, they must first fill out an application, provide a photo ID and proof of their genuine need. But even though there is the chance that they may be taken advantage of, the Storehouse ministry keeps the focus on the right thing.
“We have to do what the Lord wants us to, and he’ll take care of the rest.” Pastor Durham has learned the secret to ministry. “We’d rather be taken advantage of than to miss someone the Lord has for us to minister to.”
Jan Moses finds her joy in those who are truly thankful. She relates that some of the people who benefit from the Storehouse offer to pay for the food and clothes or ask if they can bring the clothes back when they are finished with them. “Those are the people who really get it.”
On average, eight to 12 families come in a week, searching for aid. Every 60 days, they can return to receive more clothes and food. For those who might live out of their cars, Jan and the other volunteers have put together migrant bags filled with a towel, wash cloth, bar of soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.
The Storehouse receives items from various local supporters. Several grocery store chains often donate bread. The hospital system partners with the Storehouse by offering free exams, and a local produce farm donates vouchers for free produce.
Marietta First members have also been very involved in the Storehouse ministry. In fact, most of the food in the pantry is donated by the people. Each Sunday school class tries to donate something every month, and during Halloween the younger classes trick-or-treat for food to donate to the ministry. The K-5 class made 3×5 cards covered in stickers and notes to be given to the children who come in.
Though the response to the Storehouse is enthusiastic, help is always needed. Around 15 people usually volunteer. “Not enough.” Jan shakes her head. “We try not to open with only one person here, but when there are people waiting on the doorstep to get inside, sometimes we have to.”
The Storehouse provides Jan and her volunteers with an opportunity to minister to people’s most important need. “We try to pray with everyone who comes in here.” But in the end, only the Lord knows where the seeds of their efforts will land.
Clearly, the Lord has blessed the Storehouse ministry. Jan proudly displays the new washing machine, dryer and refrigerator that they were able to purchase recently.
Pointing at Jan, Pastor Durham mentions, “By the way, there’s a nurse in our church who is interested in starting a parish nursing program, maybe connecting it with the Storehouse.” And the avenues for expansion continue to come.
Pastor Durham sums up the vision for the Storehouse ministry: “We don’t want to be satisfied with what we have. We want to reach out.”
For more information about donating to or supporting the Storehouse Community Outreach Ministry, call Jan Moses at Marietta First Baptist Church, 864-836-3518.