User:David.dimmick/FaithCentre, Inc.

Overview FaithCentre is a Christian, faith-based umbrella of programs, services and facilities available to all persons. We are a faith-based ministry called to serve in the name of and after the example of Christ, in order that people may experience the grace of God. Founded in 2003, FaithCentre is a not-for-profit corporation under the provisions of Federal Code 501(c)(3). Funds to support the Centre’s programs and services come from sales at the Centre’s thrift store, private donations and grants. History In October 2002, Doyle Klinger, Jr., Pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte, Pa, and David Dimmick, the Church’s Director of Community Relations, sat in a local restaurant considering outreach ministry for the Church. They watched as a young woman bought two cartons of cigarettes and left with her scantily clad daughter who was munching on a Twinkie® for breakfast. They knew of poverty and substance-abuse statistics and of homelessness. And they agreed: “we’ve got to do something about this”. At that moment, FAITHCENTRE, a faith-based community outreach center for the Bellefonte area, was born. After individual meetings with a host of community leaders, a gathering was held at which representatives of community groups and churches met to dream. In June 2003 FaithCentre’s thrift store opened in a small storefront. 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. In order to meet the nutritional needs of the community, FaithCentre recently added a 14,000-square-foot facility to serve as their food bank. Among other activities, FaithCentre regularly: •	Provides free clothing to individuals and families in need •	Provides emergency financial relief •	Serves over 800 individuals each month at their Food Bank •	Assists with Toys for Tots distribution •	Holds weekly prayer groups and Bible studies •	Offers baked goods and food to area shut-ins and soup kitchens •	Provides community service opportunities for juvenile offenders •	Holds free Christmas Dinner for the community •	Serves homeless, semi-homeless and lonely people in their Thomas Coffee Corner •	Provides over 900 people with the items for a full Christmas Dinner through the Food Bank •	Hosted individual literacy tutoring through Mid-State Literacy FaithCentre staff consists of six paid staff – two of whom are full-time. The staff is supported by over 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.