Josephs Coat of Central Ohio Inc

A Second Hand Up

One of the first things beginning hockey players learn is how to get back up when they fall on the ice. Most of us learn that lesson of recovering from life's mistakes and misfortunes through the love and kindness of family and friends. But for others, life support isn't always so helpful or available.

Last year, in 2021, Joseph's Coat of Central Ohio and its army of volunteers helped more than 8,000 people get back on their feet with gently used clothing, household items, and used furniture.  Typically, more than a third of those helped are struggling to survive below the poverty line, while others are fighting their way back from some form of addiction, or perhaps time in jail, or having lost a job, while still others are recovering from the catastrophe of being suddenly homeless, such as from a house fire.

Begun in 1998 as an offshoot ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church in nearby Reynoldsburg, Ohio, the mission of Joseph's Coat is now supported by a growing ecumenical group of Columbus-area churches. Our mission is to provide the dignified structure of a "second hand up" in life for people facing all manner of need. We do this by providing, free of charge and no questions asked, some of the basics of daily living. From the consistent and abundant generosity of Columbus residents, donated clothing and furniture become the building block essentials of starting over for people on the margins of urban life.

But it also takes strong financial support to sustain this 24-year ministry. Every dollar Joseph's Coat received in 2021 more than tripled in value of items given out; in pre-Covid years the multiplier has been even higher. Because the need is so great, Joseph's Coat now wants to expand its services by recruiting more volunteers and opening the facility one additional day each week.  With your support, Joseph's Coat will reach 2,000 more people with the bedding, furniture, clothing, and basic household items they need to begin a new life.  We're asking in this campaign for $13,000 to help us offer a Second Hand Up to our neighbors.  Every gift or pledge matters because great things sprout from small seed beginnings!