Children’s Clothing and School Uniform Ministry of First Baptist Church
Children’s Clothing Ministry was established in 1999 by members of First Baptist Church, Athens who had a passion for providing clothing for needy children from birth to 6th grade in Athens and Henderson County. The Children’s Clothing Ministry is located at 402 East College Street (the Greenhouse) right across College Street from the church. The ministry accepts good, clean, used children’s clothes. Volunteers sort the clothes and arrange them for display. Area families with needs bring their children to be fitted. Each child also receives two pair of new socks and underwear at each visit. Families can return every three months to receive clothes. Records are maintained on each child receiving clothes at each visit.
When AISD adopted the Uniform Dress Code, the church expanded this ministry to include school uniforms for all students grades PreK-12. At the end of the spring semester each campus has a uniform drive to collect uniforms that students have out grown. FBCA volunteers sort and organize these donations and four days in August are set aside as distributions days. Over 700 students are expected to receive uniforms, new socks, new underwear and a voucher for new shoes.
The ministry functions independently but cooperates with the Henderson County Help Center, Crisis Center, Family Peace Project, Public Schools and other local organizations in meeting the needs of children. A referral from other organizations is not necessary and no review of family finances is conducted in order to receive clothes. If you would like to learn more about the Children’s Clothing Ministry you can check us out on Facebook at Children’s Clothing Ministry First Baptist Athens. Open every Thursday from 3-5 pm. For more info call Robin Newton at 817-797-4264 or contact the church office at 903-675-5135.
Athens Thrift Store
The Athens Thrift Store is a not-for-profit retail store that uses the money earned from the sale of donated items to fund many benevolence ministries. Since its beginning in August of 2010, the Athens Thrift Store has dispersed over $600,000 to 21 benevolent agencies in Athens. Donations are welcome and daily volunteers are needed. To learn more, please call 903-675-3160 during store hours of 9-5 Monday-Friday and 9-3 on Saturdays. Visit on the web at: www.athensthriftstore.com or contact by email at info@athensthriftstore.com.
Bedding Ministry of First Baptist Church
“No One Sleeps on the Floor” is the motto of the Bedding Ministry. In 1999 this ministry was started through the generosity of a local realtor who contributed all of the furniture left in the houses he had either sold or rented and provided a building to serve as the furniture warehouse. The Bedding Ministry has helped hundreds of families in Henderson County, but the needs are ever increasing. Through the contributions of our church family, the furniture warehouse is constantly being re-supplied with donations from their homes. This local ministry is organized to work through the local Help Center that interviews people in need. They also work with the Family Peace Project, Athens Crisis Center and the Henderson County Emergency Service to be guided to families in crisis. Volunteers are urged to participate in this worthy project. Helpers are needed to fill vouchers, load vehicles, and to keep the linen/kitchen room orderly
Disciples Clinic
Disciples Clinic of Athens is a reduced fee based medical clinic in our community that welcomes people with no insurance. For a small fee they can receive medical and dental care, prescribed medications and can be referred for special treatment. Area doctors, dentists and nurses volunteer their time to staff the clinic but other volunteers are needed. Disciples Clinic is located at 604 York Street in Athens. To learn more about becoming a volunteer phone 903-677-3604 or go on line at www.disciplesclinic.org