We’ve Got Stuff serves the needy

When clients of North Idaho social service agencies need household goods but cannot afford to pay for them, the agencies often call We’ve Got Stuff.

Founded by Molly Shirey with the help of other members of New Life Community Church in Rathdrum, We’ve Got Stuff provides “everything from cups to couches” free to people the ministry assists.

The 3-year-old ministry began when a family in the congregation needed some beds but could not afford them. Their children were sleeping on the floor.

The volunteers concluded that if one in their group had that kind of need, others might too. They announced to the church that they set aside an area in the back of the sanctuary where people could put nice things they no longer needed and someone else might use.

They learned, however, that members of New Life Community Church are givers, not takers. So We’ve Got Stuff branched out.

They hooked up with Fresh Start, which works with homeless people in the Coeur d’Alene area. Fresh Start connected them with Dirne Outreach, which helps homeless people find housing.

We’ve Got Stuff was able to help furnish those homes.

“We began by functioning out of my garage,” said Shirey, a radiation therapist.

Later the group began delivering their items.

We’ve Got Stuff has worked with organizations such as the Department of Health and Welfare, the Coalition for the Homeless and the Christian Community Coalition. We’ve Got Stuff now serves 40 to 50 families a month.

The stories are varied.

It provides for people moving into transitional housing, and people who have to set up new households to escape domestic violence. When returning veterans need furniture, We’ve Got Stuff helps.

Volunteers at We’ve Got Stuff see God’s hand in every aspect of their work, Shirey said. They have had prayers answered.

When they needed expanded storage for donated goods that accumulated, a rent-free warehouse was provided. When that space was sold, another landlord, who wanted a Christian organization to occupy his storefront, approached them. They have been in that space in Coeur d’Alene’s Midtown neighborhood since May 2011.

With a storefront, We’ve Got Stuff has now opened The Estate Store.

There they market fancier donations. The proceeds help finance the ministry.

“They rely on God to provide what they need. Tithing through New Life Community Church not only helped the group start but also helps keep the program going,” Shirey said.

Most of their donations come from yard sales. They have also received a few grants.

Another aspect of the ministry, said volunteer Nancy Schooley, is that volunteer couples meet with individuals or families who come to assess their needs and bring them hope. They also pray with them if the clients desire it.

The volunteers admit that the work can be tiring, but when they come here and pray, they are rejuvenated, said volunteer Marsha Reese.

“We have built deep relationships with each other,” she said. “I used to pray for friends. Now we have fellowship as we pray for each other and for the community. We lift each other up.”