CASEY's Cupboard helps those in need with household items

• A new mission, CASEY's Cupboard, at First United Methodist, helps families get household items.
• It's open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month.
• It is also open from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

NEWARK — Pots and pans, towels and silverware might seem like simple things.

But for someone just starting out, they can make a new apartment feel like a home.

People living in poverty, or moving into a new place after experiencing homelessness, might not have the means to purchase those things. But CASEY's Cupboard, a new mission at Newark's First United Methodist Church, can help.

CASEY's Cupboard, located next to the church at 120 N. Fifth St., stands for Christ Always Serving Especially You. It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month and 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

People in need can come once every three months to get dishes, toasters, blenders, plates, sheets, coffee pots and other household items, said Bill Koppert, a retired pastor who is co-chairman of the project.

"Our basic claim is to say: 'You are a child of God who has fallen on rough times,' " he said. "This is one way to pick up the pieces and get things back together because God loves you and so do we."

The mission started off as an idea from the church's United Methodist Women's group. The church wanted to fill a need that wasn't being met, and the group thought that providing household items that weren't offered at food banks or clothes closets would be a good fit, said Steve Rath, lead pastor of the church.

"Many of us take those things for granted. They are just basic things that get us through the day," he said. "But they can be a path forward, a life-changing opportunity for betterment."

The project was ultimately taken up by the entire congregation, but a lack of a space and funding pushed it to the back burner, Koppert said.

In 2011, church member Mary Ann Casey died and left a financial donation to the church. The house behind the church went up for sale around that same time, and the church was able to use her contribution to purchase it, Koppert said.

After several years of planning, the church was ready to launch the mission. Donations were collected and volunteers built shelves in the kitchen of the house to hold items.

They decided to name the mission CASEY's cupboard in honor of Casey's donation.

The church kicked off the project Sept. 1 and had a dedication ceremony Oct. 4. Members of Casey's family were able to attend the celebration.

"It was really neat," Koppert said. "They said, 'This is what she would have wanted.' "

So far, the effort has served about 20 families and has helped more than 80 Newark students with school uniforms, he said.

The mission will continue to collect donations of clean, functioning, gently used household items, Koppert said. Volunteers help out by collecting and organizing the donations and helping people pick out the items they need.

"So far, I couldn't be more pleased with the teamwork within the community and the support from the congregation," Rath said.

Depending on the success of the mission, it might ultimately be moved to a larger space. But it will always be called CASEY's Cupboard, Koppert said.

"It reminds us as volunteers, we can do things as an outreach in the name of Jesus Christ," he said.

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries 

Learn more

CASEY's Cupboard is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month and  5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month. It is located behind First United Methodist Church at 120 N. Fifth St. People are asked to bring proof of address and will be helped once every three months. 

For more information, call First United Methodist Church at 740-349-7020.