For the past half century, the Lord’s Cupboard has been a rock that people have sought out in their time of need.
Families and individuals struggling with poverty have been able to come to the nonprofit shop to find clothing, coats, shoes and other items. A selection of small appliances, such as microwaves and toasters, as well as furniture, home decorations and toys for children, fill shelves awaiting those who are struggling.
Nearly every inch of space inside the Franklin-based organization is filled. But organizers know that even as they serve an increasing number of people, more are out there who need their help.
“Everybody finds themselves in a position like that at least once in their life, if not more, especially the way things are now,” said Julie Parish, manager of the Lord’s Cupboard.
The Lord’s Cupboard celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a significant achievement for a nonprofit group that began with the idea of providing gently used clothing to the community. The organization has provided clothing and other items to families who have lost their homes in fires, homeless individuals and those who are referred for help by schools, churches, social service agencies and other groups.
They hope that by celebrating the past 50 years, they can help raise awareness of their role in the community today and into the future.
“The longer we’ve been here, the more people that hear about us and the more business we have. And the more donations we get,” Parish said. “The community in Johnson County has been awesome. People come all the way from Greenwood and Columbus because they know what we do is helping people, (so) they’ll bring their donations here.”
A 50th anniversary community celebration, which had been planned for Saturday but needed to be postponed, is expected to be rescheduled sometime in the future.
The Lord’s Cupboard is open to the public and operates like a traditional thrift store. Items are priced with deep discounts, with the money made used to donate to the community and help give away free clothing and household goods for families who are unable to pay. Often, people who have been affected by fires or other disasters come to pick up necessary items.
Each year, the Lord’s Cupboard provides three scholarships to Johnson County students. The organization has also helped with the annual Fast Track back-to-school supply drive, and provides a small annex boutique at KIC-IT’s headquarters for homeless youth who need clothing, coats and shoes.
People are also referred to the Lord’s Cupboard by groups working directly with those in poverty.
“They get a voucher worth so much money, depending on their situation and family size, and then they can go through the store to get what they need,” said Kathy Ballou, a board member.
The idea to create a clothing pantry came together in early 1971. Members of the Johnson County Church Women United, a Christian women’s service group, had heard of other places in Indiana with thrift shops to help the needy, including one in Bloomington. The organization invited a representative from Bloomington Church Women United to speak about their clothing ministry, and after discussing it, decided to start their own.
In a small house on Johnson Avenue in Franklin, the Lord’s Cupboard opened on Dec. 7, 1971. Agnes Crowe, a member of the county’s Church Women United group, was named its first manager. She held the position for 20 years, before her niece, Nancy Dunn, took over.
The clothing pantry remained a steady presence in the county, with clients coming not only from Franklin, but from Greenwood, Edinburgh, Trafalgar and other areas.
Though the group initially rented the house on Johnson Avenue, they were eventually able to purchase it outright. Improvements and expansions allowed the pantry to store and display more items, but additional space was always needed. Tragedy struck in 2000, when faulty wiring caused a $30,000 fire that destroyed much of their merchandise.
But just as the community had supported the Lord’s Cupboard through donations and volunteer service, it again rallied to help. Seven days after the fire, the pantry had reopened in an attached house previously used for storage, and fresh paint and carpet was added to the new store.
After years of operating at the Johnson Avenue location, the Lord’s Cupboard moved to its current space off of U.S. 31. The additional floor space and storage allows the organization to keep even more items, Parish said.
“It’s a whole lot bigger, and we need every inch and more,” she said. “We put in a lot of hard work, and a lot of people helped us along the way in moving it here. It’s just grown by leaps and bounds, and we can help more people.”
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The Lord’s Cupboard
What: A nonprofit thrift store whose proceeds go towards helping the needy. The store also provides clothing and household items to people who have been impacted by natural disasters or fires, and help those who are referred by schools, churches, social agencies and others.
Where: 606 Banta St., Franklin
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.
How to help: The organization relies solely on donated items to generate sales, and proceeds are redirected to helping the local community. The store is in need of donations, including clothing but particularly furniture, hygienic items and household goods. Monetary donations are also needed.
Donations are accepted Tuesday thru Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.. Drive around back and ring the doorbell and someone will be out to help you. Monetary donations can be mailed to the address above.
The Lord’s Cupboard welcomes volunteers, age 15 or older, to help clean, sort and organize merchandise year-round.
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