West Independence Church serves those in need

WEST INDEPENDENCE – West Independence Church is on a mission to help change lives for the better. The church's Garage of Hope provides gently used items for people in need such as donated dressers, couches, tables, chairs, pots and pans, dishes, coffee pots and toasters. "Our biggest need for donations is beds," said Melissa Houck, who has coordinated the effort for three years. "We take in gently used mattresses, box springs, frames, because calls come in almost every day for a bed." Through the years, they've supplied hundreds of beds, she said, with queen, full and twin size beds and mattresses representing the greatest needs. The Garage of Hope - located just east of the church parking lot at 22974 U.S. 224, 10 miles east of Findlay - began as a mission to help those in need several years ago when a property with a garage was purchased. At first the garage served as a youth center, said Houck. In 2003, a Family Life Center was added to the church and youth were given a special loft area to meet. The garage sat empty until church members decided it needed a new purpose - a place to store furniture and household items for people in need around the community. At that time, the Garage of Hope became a reality, said Houck. The church family and community donated items and a member used his large, enclosed trailer to make deliveries as they came in, she said. Many who benefited lived in the Findlay, Tiffin and Fostoria areas and beyond. But due to health issues, the church was unable to distribute donations in early 2021. A decision was made to work out of the garage, take donations there and have the community come during open hours. Houck said the transition has worked well as the building can hold a large number of items. The garage is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday. Donations should not be left outside the garage or church if no one is there. "I was just telling Pastor Ben (Wallick), when I go there on Fridays and open the door, I never know what's going to be in there because people from our church, we have the code to get in, so they can just put things in there during the week," Houck said. She said calls regularly come in from people who are starting over again for whatever reason. "And we don't ask questions unless they want to volunteer. And they're just so grateful and blessed when they come because they'll say well, how much does this cost? We'll say, nothing. It's our church's mission to serve you," she explained. They're very surprised, she added. "I've seen tears. I've gotten a lot of hugs," said Houck. "And sometimes they don't have the vehicle to actually fit a mattress in so they'll drive away with it on top, but they'll have it strapped down. Sometimes they'll have a friend with a truck come and help them." By its location, the garage helps people from Tiffin, Findlay, Fostoria and Carey. Agencies like the City Mission of Findlay, Hope House, Family Resource Center, Mission Possible and Focus reach out as well, she said. Donations come in from throughout the area. Houck said someone was cleaning out their mother-in-law's condo because she had moved into assisted living and they wondered what to do with all of the things that were no longer needed. "They said, we can only use so much of it. So it was nice they had a place they could just donate things to and they know they're going to be used by someone who needs them," she said. She also receives calls from people asking what kind of donations they take. In addition to beds and dressers, the list includes living room furniture, TVs, microwaves, dishes, pots, pans and lamps. Towels and blankets represent another big need, she said. Once in a while a large appliance like a washer, dryer or refrigerator comes in, but not often, Houck said. She noted that clothes are the only thing they don't accept. "Our church is very mission oriented so we do pass out prayer cards. Our youth made prayer cards if people want to fill those out and how we can pray for them," she said. There are also witness cards available in different languages. "The prayer cards are a fairly recent thing," said Wallick. "I was just impressed how the youth of the church were involved at creating those." Houck said the church's youth group has come over several times and to help organize the garage. There are also times they aren't sure what an item is, she said. A hotdog roller and a slushy machine were donated and they both were taken. "Everybody needs a little bit of fun," she laughed. Houck said it's fun to see children come in, too. "We have toys and games. And we have someone in our church, he's autistic and he loves dinosaurs and he's got thousands of dinosaurs. So he donates dinosaurs almost every week. And the kids come in and they love dinosaurs, too," she said. "So they have their own little bag and they're happy." A member of the church donated a brand new race car bed and mattress at Christmas. It went to a 9-year-old boy who had to get rid of his bed. Houck said they took it over to him as a surprise. "I got a picture of him and his eyes were bright and he was smiling. He was so excited," she said. "So there's good stories like that. It's amazing how, when the need is there, the donation comes in." People say they'd rather give items to someone who needs them and put them to good use instead of having to throw things out or give them to a reseller. Houck keeps track of things people might need. If something comes in, she will call and tell them its available. She said people were currently waiting on 19 beds. "And the calls keep coming, which is unreal for me to think about, from people saying they're sleeping on the floor," she said. Hope Pantry is located right next to the garage and contains nonperishable food items as well as Bibles, devotionals and literature for people to take. "I see the Garage of Hope as like the name says, giving people in need hope," said Wallick. "And it's really great to see how the church and the community work together in providing the various things, being the hands and feet of Christ. That's what really is happening." Financial donations help with the garage as well, Houck said. And about every three months the church takes up a noisy offering for the mission which helps with special needs. "We even had enough at one time that we were able to purchase 30 mattresses from a mattress company so that was nice. They lasted maybe two or three weeks," she said. Houck has also purchased air conditioners, fans, microwaves and pillows which are another need. "Well yeah, you've got a bed now, you need a pillow," she said. "It's just fun to see the smiles." For additional information, contact the church office at 419-894-6454 or text Houck at 419-421-1024.