The agency originally began in with a simple old, broken down school bus. It started in an old school bus that they painted like a cow, white and black splotches all over it, and they called it the C. Eventually we got an updated C. We also pack up bags of food. Once we arrive at the school, we let the kids go through and pick out their own clothes which is really exciting for them.
So they get their clothes and a bag of food, and we offer to pray with them before they leave. We try to do that every week. In late , a warehouse space and basic offices were rented at Rust Street for the collection and distribution of clothing until it began to expand.
The owners of the warehouse donated the entire facility in In , the agency experienced more blessings. Rust Street Ministries was given the opportunity to purchase the adjacent vacant warehouse to expand the facility another 30, square feet.
We do get some food donated, but, most of the time, we buy the food from the Regional Food Bank using monies that are donated. The food we buy from Regional Food Bank, we buy in large quantities and use as we need to. The agency also has given out , pounds of food, 61, articles of clothing, 1, pieces of furniture and appliances.
We give out food five times in a calendar year to a family. We give out clothing once every six months to all the members of the family that need it. And we give out household goods like sheets and blankets, toasters and microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, beds and everything else that goes into a household once a year.
