MANSFIELD — From the trunk of a car, to storage units, and now a physical building, the nonprofit organization known as “Reaching Out” has come a long way.
Angie Henke, the group’s founder, said it all began in 2013 when she started offering free clothing and toiletry items to people at local parking lots from the trunk of her car.
“I just saw a need,” she said.
More and more people joined Henke in her effort to meet that need by donating items. As additional donations arrived, Henke began housing the items in a storage unit in Mansfield.
Then, in December, Reaching Out moved to 200 Ashland Rd., sharing the space with Armor Bearers Ministries.
On Saturday, Reaching Out celebrated the grand opening of its new location. Racks full of clothes for children and adults were set up, with friendly volunteers on hand to help visitors find whatever items they were seeking.
Henke said anyone is welcome to “shop” for items, which are given away for free.
“I feel like it’s not my place to judge whether or not they need it,” she said. “God knows whether or not they need it, so we just give it to them. If they misuse it that’s on them.”
In addition to clothes, Reaching Out has provided people with food, furniture, baby formula, diapers, backpacks and children’s toys. Henke said they gave away 72 Christmas and Easter baskets last year.
She said they’ve also distributed items at other facilities and events and that they partner with other organizations to help meet people’s needs.
“We’ve been collecting items for a children’s ministry in Wooster,” she said.
Henke appreciates Armor Bearers Ministries for allowing Reaching Out to use part of their building to house the donations. She’s also thankful for the News Journal, which donated office equipment for the new space.
“I have really good people in here that go out of their way, she said of the volunteers that have pitched in for the effort. “No one gets paid for anything, except they do get prayers and hugs–that’s all I can give.”
Donations are welcome. Henke said monetary tax deductible donations can be taken to any Mechanics Bank. For more information on how to donate, visit Reaching Out’s Facebook page.
Henke said Reaching Out is not just about providing people with the basic necessities.
“We want people to feel loved,” she said. “People need to know that there are people who care about them.”
