After individual meetings with a host of community leaders, a gathering was held at which representatives of community groups and churches met to dream. Just seven months later, in June 2003 FAITHCENTRE’s thrift shop opened in a small storefront in downtown Bellefonte. The next day several members of the Board of Directors agreed that it was simply too small. Immediately they began looking for another location. God answered.
In January 2004 FAITHCENTRE moved to a new, 11,000+ square-foot facility on the square in Bellefonte. With the additional space, FAITHCENTRE was poised to help. God answered.
In July, 2004, the Bellefonte Academy, a 19th century prep school that housed 23 families in apartments, was destroyed by fire. FAITHCENTRE was asked to help. The Centre’s servants stepped up: they received, sorted and distributed approximately two tons of clothing, food and household items; they received and distributed over $36,000 in assistance and, working with the local Red Cross, re-located the 23 families. Centre volunteers maintain an on-going relationship with the victims, continuing to help meet needs with such things as rent assistance, electricity and heat subsidies, insurance premiums, food, furniture and clothing vouchers and others.
Since that time, we have developed programs and services that serve virtually all areas of the community. For example:
> FAITHCENTRE distributes in excess of $30,000.00 each year in needy assistance
> Mid-State Literacy Council holds literacy sessions and GED instruction on site
> FAITHCENTRE is the area distributor for the annual Toys For Tots®
> More than 25 persons come each day to the Bill Thomas Coffee Corner
> We hold two separate weekly Bible studies
> Approximately 2,000 persons visit the thrift store each month
> Proposals are being prepared seeking money to install an updated kitchen in anticipation of launching a nutrition class
> We work with the Centre County Conservation Corps providing projects for clients
> In cooperation with a local bank, we offered money management programs
> We host National Kids’ Day Activities
> We have launched cooperative efforts with Victorian Christmas, The Bellefonte Cruise, Bellefonte, Intervalley Chamber of Commerce
> We are developing programs to assist elderly with home fix-up (winterization)
> We are developing programs to help single parents become more self-sufficient
FAITHCENTRE has just four paid staff, only one of which is full time. The staff is supported by more than 80 volunteers. Volunteers come from area community and service organizations as well as most all area churches. Food drives are conducted by scout troops, local postal workers and school groups. Even local businesses help with donations of linens from motels, display cases from a jewelry store, fresh vegetables and bakery items from grocery stores, among others.
