Furniture Ministry Brother’s Keeper Helps People in Need
Brother’s Keeper helps the community by giving away free donated furniture to people who need it.
Barnesville First Christian Church member Leah Reynard launched the furniture ministry years ago.
Reynard drew inspiration for the name Brother’s Keeper from a song she heard on a Christian radio station with the line, “I’ll be my brother’s keeper, so the whole world will know that they’re not alone. This is the first day of the rest of your life, and even in the dark, we can still see the light. It’s going to be all right.”
Reynard went on a mission trip to Washington D.C. with her congregation about 10 years ago. There, members volunteered at a place called a Wider Circle, an organization that helps people transition out of homelessness by providing them with donated furniture. Wider Circle accepted furniture in “dignified condition” from donors and gave it to those who had available housing but couldn’t afford to furnish it.
“We went into this building, and it was full of furniture,” Reynard said. “When we were there, I remember thinking how cool that was, because I never heard anybody doing that.”
Reynard said although Barnesville doesn’t have a homeless population, she saw a need among local families struggling financially. That’s when she felt called to do something.
One day while visiting a patient as part of her job with Home Health, the patient gave her a set of pots and pans. She didn’t need them, so she stored them in her kitchen for about two years. She then read on Facebook about somebody in need, who was kicked out of where they lived and didn’t have anything. Reynard wanted to give the pots and pans to this family—and she did. She also gifted other items including a bed frame, linens, diapers and a crib.
“When they came, we loaded up their truck, and the parents cried,” she said. “I said, ‘Oh, this is what I want to do.’ It was so satisfying to be able to do that.”
Reynard and her husband, Tim, purchased a garage across the street from their house and used half of it to for the ministry operation. Reynard used it for a long time as the ministry grew. She said the more people heard about it, the more they wanted to help.
Reynard rented a storage unit for the expanding collection. She said it was eye opening to see how many people needed help, and she eventually rented another storage unit. Then, the owners of the storage unit gave her one to use.
Earlier this year, Brother’s Keeper relocated to a building behind the First Christian Church who built it for the ministry. The new facility has electricity and a loading dock. Athletes from the Barnesville High helped to move all of the items from the storage units to the new building.
Anyone who wishes to donate items should call the church office at 740-425-2480 or Reynard at 740-391-5947. In addition to furniture, other items accepted include housewares, dishes, kitchen towels and bed linens. Donations must be clean and in good condition. Individuals are asked to initially send photos of items they wish to donate to the ministry.
On the other end, those who need items can call the church office or Reynard with their needs, schedule a time for pick up, or work out a method of delivery.
“When people get new furniture and they upgrade, they normally sell their old furnishings. Instead of doing that, they can donate it, and we give it away to somebody who can’t afford it,” Reynard said. “And so it’s a real blessing.”
Reynard read one of her dad’s favorite scriptures that said to not grow weary in doing good, for in due time, people will reap harvest if they thank God and to do good to everyone.
“I can’t change or fix the whole world, but I can help a lot of people in my little part of it,” Reynard said. “I think as long as we’re all trying to do that, we’re going to make a difference in the world.”
Donations toward gas money and electric bills are also appreciated, although they’re never asked for. Reynard said she’s grateful for the church and everyone who’s supported Brother’s Keeper along the way.
“It’s the coolest thing. You can walk into a house that has hardly anything in it, and give them stuff, and they’re just so grateful, and it makes your heart so full,” Reynard said.
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