The United Methodist Free Store provides clothing and household items to families in need in a hospitable atmosphere that affirms the self-worth of each individual. The hospitality area offers a safe space where shoppers and volunteers share conversation, life stories, and prayers with the result that lives are changed and community is formed. More than 40,000 families have become members of the Free Store since we opened our doors in January 1999. For every dollar donated to the Free Store twenty-one dollars are returned to the community.
National Free Store Network Launched
Over 60 Free Stores have been launched across the nation, offering God's grace in tangible form to those in need. Out of this, a National Free Store Network was recently formed, to provide an exchange of ideas and best practices.
Click here to join the National Free Store Network.
For those wishing to form a Free Store, check in Resource Downloads for examples of documents used by the Free Store.
Free Store Hours
Points of Contact
Sharon Allen, Director
Selena Jackson, Assistant Director
Store Hours
Tues. & Thurs. & Sat. 10 am-12:30 pm
Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm
Friday, 3-5:30 pm
Donation Hours
Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Sat. 8:30am-12:30pm
Wednesday 12pm-3:30pm
Friday 1pm-5:30 pm
Volunteer Hours
Monday Tue, Thur, Sat., 9am-1pm
Wednesday 1pm-4pm
Friday 1pm-6pm
Please call 614-443-1713 or 614-445-7342 to volunteer
Ways You Can Participate
- Volunteer as sorters, counter staff and hospitality hosts. Contact us to volunteer.
- Community Service opportunities available for Work Experience Program, court, schools, or agencies.
- Charitable Contributions are needed for operations and for special events. All monetary donations are used to fund special events (outreach) such as Back to School and Christmas Shop.
- Donate clothing and household goods. Items can be dropped off in the rear of the store during Free Store hours.
Weekly Events
- Dinner is served every Friday afternoon at 3:15 pm
- Breakfast is served every Saturday at 9:15 am
- Other food ministries occur throughout the week, such as Wednesday Sandwiches served on the first Wednesday of each month
- Social Worker and Nursing Services are offered most Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm and Thursdays from 10 -11:30 am
Special Events
Christmas Shop, 2012
This delightful holiday party will provide Free Store families an opportunity to select, free of charge, new toys and clothing for their children. We hope to serve 500 children again this year. The Free Store Christmas Shop is always one of the highlights of the year for many of our members and volunteers.
At the annual Christmas shop, Free Store member parents sign up to "shop" for new free toys and clothing for their children. Over 500 children receive gifts each year. Volunteers from the Church for All People, Free Store and partner churches serve as "Santa's Helpers" for the fun all day event. To find out more, Click here. To see a power point of a past Christmas Shop click here.
Please consider supporting this vital ministry through your Sunday school classes, UMW and UMM groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops or any organization interested in spreading Christmas joy to children, by adopting the 2012 Christmas Shop as your Christmas project. We will be providing new clothing and new gifts for boys and girls ranging in age from birth to 13 years of age. Cash contributions and gift cards are also helpful and will be used to purchase additional needed items. Collected items may be delivered to the backdoor of the Free Store (marked "Donations") beginning December 3, 9-3:00 p.m. Please contact Sharon or Selena at 443-1713 for volunteer oppotunities with the Christmas Shop, 2012. Or you may call our office at 445-7342 with questions.
Our 2012 Christmas Shop will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2012. We will sign up 500 children from birth to age 13, Tuesday, November 27 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Requirements: Free Store membership and children's birth certificates must be provided. Anyone may become a member of the Free Store prior to November 27 simply by coming in and signing a membership card. There are no other requirements for membership.
A Message from our Directors; Sharon and Selena
Dear Friends,
Thanks to each and everyone for the blessings you gave this year in the form of our "Christmas Shop" at the United Methodist Free Store.
Your blessings came in many ways. Without donations of new toys and new clothing, without financial donations, it would have been a bleak Christmas for many, many children. The many hands of volunteers shopping, sorting, counting, displaying and wrapping of gifts added joy to the lives of so many families. The many delicious homemade cookies given to families as they waited to shop; the lunch and snacks for our many elves added to the festivities of the day.
Lots of hard work, lots of joy, and for your part, we say thank you. See you next year! Sharon & Selena
Back to School
Back to School days provide free new school supplies, underclothing and socks to children from kindergarten through Middle School. Partner churches donate and gather supplies which are distributed to four local elementary schools.
Click Here to Find Out More About the Free Store
