Our Mission
Our Mission To provide clothing, shoes, hygiene items and essential household goods to low-income individuals & families in order to improve economic stability, increase school & job readiness and to influence families with the love of Christ. CCO is one of the many ministries of Dwell Community Church.
Our Vision
To connect & strengthen our community through free clothing, generous giving and meaningful service. We agree with Jesus when He said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Meeting Practical Needs with Meaningful
Service
Community Clothing Outreach (CCO) was founded with the intention of honoring God by providing practical assistance to those in need. In December of 2019, the North Linden community identified a shortage of free clothing for its low-income families, leading to the establishment of a free store at the Come & Go Convenience Center. We recruited volunteers from Dwell Community Church and the North Linden community, then collected donated clothing to be given away in an environment of love, dignity, and respect. At first, we operated under the name The Free Store of North Linden, serving numerous individuals and families until April of 2020, when we were forced to close due to the pandemic.
A Resource for Low-Income Families During the Pandemic
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and donors, the free store reopened later that year as Community Clothing Outreach in North Linden. CCO operated outdoors, making it a safe and "COVID-friendly" environment for the community. We served as a vital resource for low-income families with young children who were struggling due to the pandemic, in addition to serving the growing immigrant population in Central Ohio.
In a short amount of time, we recognized the need to communicate effectively with shoppers and began translating our materials into French and Spanish. The store was open two days a week (Saturday and Wednesday) and relied on volunteers to sort, hang, and distribute clothes and household items. It was during these trying times that we built relationships with our shoppers and earned the trust and support of the community.
Partnering with Dwell
Dwell Community Church joined hands with CCO in August 2021, as a formal ministry of the church. Dwell donated a large space for operation and storage at the 4th Street church campus. This move significantly improved the shopping environment and volunteer conditions. In order to maintain our growing ministry, we offered orientations, and hosted multiple student and adult volunteer groups.
In our first year, the store served over 1,000 shopping appointments during and distributed between 20,000-25,000 articles of clothing.
Becoming a Non-Profit Agency
In 2023, it became apparent that CCO must build a firm foundation for future growth and long-term sustainability. After much prayer and research, CCO decided the best course of action was to become an accredited non-profit agency. Becoming a non-profit would allow the ministry to collaborate with more social service providers, raise funding, and minister to a larger number of Columbus’ low-income families.
A Community of Compassionate Volunteers
From its inception, CCO have been surrounded by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about glorifying God while helping others in need. Throughout this year, a team of 4 dedicated Dwell members are serving as our board of directors and in August of 2023 CCO successfully registered as a 501(c3).
As the ministry has become more established, 18 Team Leads have been trained who serve on a weekly or bi-monthly basis in the store or in administrative roles. Since its beginning, over 200 volunteers have contributed their time, energy, and compassion sharing God’s love. We trust in Christ’s words that, "it is more blessed to give than to receive." In response, we consistently encourage and see our shoppers join our efforts by donating clothing or volunteering in the store.
Board Members: Jamie Flinn, Katie Bosley, Gabby Harvey, Sarah Fusner. Daniel Neutzling, Accountant/CPA