SHEDe
SHARING HOPE EVERY DAY
In the early 1990's we were approached about items being thrown away at a University. We started receiving kitchen items that we then gave to food pantries and soup kitchens. Over the years these efforts grew until 2000 when we started receiving beds, dressers, lamps, curtains, desks, couches and many other items.
For a few years each year we received over 500 sets of beds and dressers. In 2003 we purchased our first truck, a 26 foot box truck. Our fleet has grown since then to include a 20 foot trailer, a pick up truck, a semi truck and four trailers and two 16 foot smaller box trucks.
In 2005 we had our biggest project which was removing, storing and giving away everything in the old Chancellor Inn in Champaign. 223 rooms of STUFF. It exposed our greatest need which was storage space. We loaded and unloaded over 15 semi loads of stuff and proceeded to give it to the neediest of Central Illinois and beyond.
In 2007 we were blessed with a generous gift that allowed us to solve our storage needs. We built a 52' x 80' warehouse that sits behind the church. Of course it is called the SHED.
In 2008 we received 750 sets of bunk beds from two different universities. Along with some large hotel projects we had a record breaking year and gave away 1,550 beds along with loads of other household items. At this point we were helping 3-7 families per week with household items.
Our SHED crew meets every Wednesday night and most Saturday mornings for pick ups and deliveries. In our big projects many others from the church take time off to help as do many others from other churches.
The SHED is a total volunteer operation. We work by referral from social and state agencies, churches, schools, missions and individuals. There has never been a cost for what we pick up, give away or deliver.
The past 18 months has seen a huge increase in demand and a huge decrease in supply. Never in past years have we been unable to help as we are unable to now. Universities and hotels are not replacing items and individuals are sitting tight. One furniture store we picked up items from closed its doors.
If you or someone you know ever has a contact for usable household items, please let us know. Just this month we helped a family (mother and two children 2 and 4 years old) in Decatur who were sleeping on sheets laid out on pallets. Yes, pallets.
If you have any questions about our SHED ministries feel free to contact Pastor Bruce at 217-855-9935 and check out the other pages for pictures of our SHED activities.
