TUPELO -- Ginny's House, a ministry named for a longtime member of East Main Church of Christ with a passion for serving others, plans to distribute clothes, furniture and housewares for free on a near-monthly basis.
Located at 1605 Martin Hill Drive, in what was formerly used as the preacher's home at East Main Church of Christ, church member Tina Betts oversees the operation of Ginny's House alongside a dozen regular volunteers. Among those volunteers are church members Betty Beard, Wanda Bishop and Debbie Hallmark.
The origins of what came to be Ginny's House can be traced to 1995, two years after Beard and her husband, Darrell Beard, former minister at East Main Church of Christ, moved to Tupelo from St. Louis, Missouri, in 1993.
Their church in St. Louis had operated a similar ministry, and they sought to replicate it at East Main Church of Christ with the approval of the congregation's elders.
"It's been going ever since, usually twice a year," Beard said.
Ginny's House is named in honor of Virginia "Ginny" Berryhill, a faithful member of East Main Church of Christ who died in June at age 83.
"She would take clothes home, repair them, wash them, iron them, sew buttons on them," Beard said. "She was a very dedicated worker."
Though she suffered from arthritis, she worked through it with no complaints. A gentle, soft spoken woman, Berryhill's photograph now hangs on a wall in the home that lovingly bears her name.
In preparation for previous giveaways, donated goods were stored in the church building and brought outside for the events, but having a permanent space dedicated to collecting, organizing and distributing donated items is a blessing.
"This is the most organized we've had it," Beard said.
More than 50 families have received goods so far during the first two giveaways hosted in September and October. The next giveaway is set for Saturday, Nov. 23, and anyone is welcome to stop by. Outside of regular giveaway days, volunteers arrange to meet people at Ginny's House so they can pick out things they need.
Each room in the house is organized into sections -- men's clothes, women's clothes, children's clothes, and housewares ranging from dishes and lamps to bedding. As furniture is donated, it's typically stored in the garage.
"We just ask that people take what they need and what they're going to use," Betts said.
When guests arrive at a giveaway event, they're asked to fill out a card with their name and contact information. They can check a box to indicate whether they're a first-time or returning guest and request a call, card, visit or copy of the Bible from the church.
The ministry is all about serving God, Betts said. Helping guests out with physical needs is a plus, but an opportunity to help them spiritually is even better.
Guests also have the option to jot down other items they need but may not have been able to find that day at Ginny's House, and a volunteer will contact them if they receive them.
Betts hopes the ministry will demonstrate the church's compassion as it reaches out to the community.
"I don't know what people in the neighborhood think of us, but I would like for them to know us personally and know that we care," Betts said.
"We're doing it all for the glory of the Lord," Beard said. "We're not taking anything for ourselves."
Though there won't be a giveaway in December, regular monthly giveaways are planned for the future, including on Jan. 11, 2025.
Donated items have flowed in from church members, the local neighborhood and other members of the community. Donations are always welcome and can be left in the house's garage, Betts said.
For information about upcoming giveaways, follow the East Main Church of Christ Facebook page, and to set up a time to stop by Ginny's House outside of a regular giveaway, contact the church at 662-842-6116.