Threads, Hope & Love looks to raise $215,000 for its own building

An organization that has steadily and consistently worked to provide clothing and other basics for those in need is now looking for help.

Threads, Hope & Love, 213 Muller Road, officially started its fundraising efforts so it can buy its own building.

Currently, the not-for-profit, church-based group is renting part of the warehouse from the fencing company it shares space.

Threads President Cindy Shuford said they are happy in the location they are in and work well with the fence company, but she adds that it’s time for the organization to have its own space.

“We have to keep this going. Too many people rely on us,” Shuford said.

The organization started in 2009 and has been in the building at Muller Road since 2010. Threads has about 1,000 clients a month coming through the doors in need of clothing, shoes and some household furnishings. In cases of emergencies, Threads provides the basics such as a toothbrush and a bar of soap.

In one day, Threads surveyed its clients and found they were coming from more than 40 different cities in the area from Bloomington and Peoria to Varna and Pekin.

Among the upcoming events is a spaghetti supper 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 at Crossroads United Methodist Church. Tickets are $6 for adults, children under 4-years-old eat free and can be purchased at Threads or by calling 648-8927.

Previously Washington Mayor Gary Manier said he was excited about Threads’ mission.

“They don’t turn anyone away and that’s what I like to hear about an organization,” Manier said.

During a recent tour of the Threads facility, Shuford talked about how the organization started as part of a discussion by her pastor in the church newsletter.

“There is definitely a need for this kind of help and service in the community,” she added. “And we have seen overwhelmingly that need and the importance of our mission in this community.”

Threads pulls in volunteer support from 10 Washington-area churches.

“It very much is an ecumenical project,” Shuford said. “Need does not care about religion.”

And need, Shuford said, does not necessarily mean the unemployed. Threads sees many families where the parents are working but the household income is not enough to provide many of the basics.

Threads is trying to have enough raised to meet a Jan. 1 deadline on its lease.

To help, donations can be mailed to Threads, Hope & Love, P.O. Box 54, Washington, Ill., 61571.