In 2002, Barbara Myers in Siler City had a big heart and a great idea to help the Kid's in Chatham County that were poverty stricken or neglected in someway.  She founded The Kid's Warehouse, Inc. non-profit and began taking in donations of used furniture, appliances, cars, and clothes and food. Barbara also established The Kid's House where Kid's could come for a safe place to hang out or stay overnight if needed and receive mentoring assistance.  The donated items were given to Kid's and their families to help them during periods of unforeseen circumstances in life.  Handing up instead of out was the mission. 

Upon Barbara's retirement, the board asked my husband and I if we were interested in assuming the job as Co-Directors of the program because we were already involved doing the same thing with aged youth and young adults and families in the eastern part of the county as our personal mission.  We accepted the position and added to the already established program. 

The Kid's Warehouse, Inc. today continues to accept good used furniture, bicycles, linens, blankets, toys, outside grills, kerosene heaters/oil, wood stoves/fire wood, TV's, radios, used mattresses with frames, baby cribs/play pens/car seats, baby clothes and supplies size 0-12 months, sleep sofas, small and large appliances, cars, specific request clothes, towels/washcloths, curtains, and mattress pads to give away to those Kid's, families and individuals in need. 

We also accept and need cash donations to assist families/individuals with gas for emergency transportation, emergency food, money for school supplies, fresh under garments, shoes, medications, and such.  The individuals usually receive a small gift card from us to purchase those items and are limited to the amounts they can receive.  We also accept donations for paper products such as: paper towel, toilet paper, laundry soap/supplies, shampoo, bath soap, animal food (yes-some family’s animals go unfed when there isn't money), feminine hygiene, diapers and such other items that can't be purchased with food stamps.  We were able to furnish or partially furnish 42 homes for families and 105 families with paper goods or some other donations last year.

We also prepare meals and feed those who are hungry daily; and we have a FREE Christmas Breakfast for those home alone and/or hungry on Christmas morning (dine in or take out) - several local churches and local agencies help deliver, serve and/or cook the meal.  We prepared 1,584 meals in the last year between two shelters.

We have discontinued the food donations; however, we do volunteer to serve as a collection site for other organizations when asked.  We have a mobile rescue for the homeless, abused and mentally challenged individuals that need assistance.  We also have started a homeless shelter program that temporarily houses individuals and assists them in several ways such as finding jobs, obtaining proper and attending to medical needs, completing educational needs, learning self help skills, and find permanent housing.

The House of Israel Homeless shelter was established.  Homes are donated for such use or rented to us for a small amount.  Our homeless shelters have housed over 14 individuals and mentored over 36 individuals on the outside in school, job, spiritual, medical and social training.  We handed out over 88 Bibles, Christian books and Bible studies last year to meet spiritual need requests. 

Our agency works very closely with the Sheriff's Department and local police, social services, public health workers, and area churches. Sometimes individuals just need a motel room for the night and hot meal and others need ongoing assistance. Our program tries very hard to meet the people we serve where they are at and help them to reach a higher level and often healing in emotional and other troubled places in their lives.  When we give a bed away, we like to make sure we have mattress pad, linen, blankets and a frame for the bed to sit on to send a message they are loved and have moved up from the floor or ground just a wee bit higher, hopefully to give the person some much needed encouragement.  We continue Barbara's vision of handing up and not out.

Since 2002, all of our volunteers, including the co-directors are just that - VOLUNTEERS. We have no paid staff, however, because of increased office work, a paid administrative assistant position in is the future planning.

 
We hope this information has helped you to learn more about our local non-profit work.  We thank Chatham county residents for their support of our mission to help local children, families and individuals in need by providing available goods and supplies.  We ask for your continued support as we continue to advocate for children and family issues and to house and feed the homeless and hungry in Chatham County the coming year. 

Note:  We do not require you belong to any particular affiliation or denomination or possess any previous memberships to join our organization as a mentor volunteer.  We do ask that you support our organization through regular participation in activities, volunteer in creative ways, and seek material/financial contributions for the organization.  Tax deduction receipts are available. 

We are always looking for Individuals to Serve, Volunteers to assist, and Donations to benefit those in need.  

Call (919) 542-6159 for details.

Write us:  874 Chatham Church Road, Moncure, North Carolina 27559

Email: ebm87@msn.com

Office Hours are: Monday - Friday   9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed most Holidays.

In Case of a Housing or Abuse Emergency: Call: 911 and ask for the worker on call for:
The House of Israel Program.