{"id":4095,"date":"2022-02-10T16:04:03","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T16:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=4095"},"modified":"2022-02-11T22:59:14","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T22:59:14","slug":"the-first-church-free-community-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/10\/the-first-church-free-community-store\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Church Free Community Store"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Juanita Greene (far left) and the church volunteers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Tricia Hall
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/p>\n

The First Church of God located on the corner of Collingwood and Central opened their monthly store that provides free items to the community on Saturday January 29, from 11a.m.- 2 p.m. The store doesn’t require\u00a0documentation that determines need eligibility\u00a0and encouraged all Toledoans to stop in and pick up a variety of available\u00a0items.<\/p>\n

The congregation first began organizing\u00a0these efforts under the direction of the church’s lead pastor, Bishop Robert Culp in August of 2021 and within a few months made several connections which eventually led to a collaboration with three Toledo-area Walmart stores.<\/p>\n

“Bishop asked\u00a0for donations and now we’re connected to three Walmarts which provide us with donations,” shared Juanita Greene.<\/p>\n

The congregation collects, sorts and distributes the Walmart items between two store locations. The East Bancroft location operates every Thursday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. while the Collingwood and Central location operates every third Saturday.<\/p>\n

“We want to serve individuals who are in need, you shouldn’t have to choose between bills and toothpaste. We’re blessed that this church has 33 ministries and each of them volunteer in some way, whether it’s sorting, distributing or even in the parking lot,” explained Greene.<\/p>\n

The store locations have several types of items available including: women, men and children undergarments and accessories; women, men children and toddler clothing, children’s coats, household and personal care items and more. For additional information about the store locations, to volunteer or donate, contact Juanita Greene at 419-255-0097 ext. 204.<\/p>\n