Leaders of the Jackson (Mich.) Community Services Center (Center) were extremely worried when they discovered their building had been invaded by four kinds of mold, three of which were toxic. The Center was immediately closed, and almost all of the donated clothing and packaged foods destroyed.

“Not only were we worried about what it would cost to replace the damage, but we wondered what would happen to all the people we serve on a weekly basis,” said Barbara Harris, Center co-leader.

Contractors were immediately called to remove the mold and renovate the facility. “They initially thought it would take three months, and the projected cost was $l00,000. Without insurance, I’m not sure we could have afforded to reopen,” said Harris.

A newspaper article informed the public of the damage, and many people offered their assistance. One man in the community donated $250. A local Catholic charity, St. Vincent ’s DePaul (a clothing store which charges a small fee), assured Center leaders they would donate anything they had to help when it was time to re-open and also offered to serve the Center’s needy clients, free of charge.

The mold problem was caused when spring storms and heavy winds blew off a small portion of the roof, allowing rain to seep in.

The west wall was torn down and rebuilt, and new cupboards were ordered along that wall. All ceilings and carpet were replaced. The walls were painted a light beige, and fluorescent lighting was re-hung to provide better lighting. The work took twice as long as expected, but the Center was able to reopen on February 8.

“Many people from the church helped get the Center back in operation,” said Harris. We provide food on an emergency basis to about 20 families a week. Last year, members of the Jackson church donated about $5,000 in food. We also rely on community donations and our Pathfinder group, who collect canned and packaged food on Halloween for the Center.”

Harris and other volunteers worked at the Center for several weeks to fill the cupboards with canned vegetables and fruits, boxed pasta, cereals, and many other food items.

Racks are filled with clothes people dropped off at Harris’ home, where they were stored for nearly six months during the reconstruction process. Almost everything previously in the Center had to be thrown out, but a dry cleaning company in Lansing, Mich., was found to clean the Center’s 55 quilts.

"J.C. Penny and Elder-Beerman stores donated a number of pant hangers, and that helped us out tremendously,” said Harris. “The hardest part of being closed was not being able to create Christmas food and clothing baskets.”

The Jackson church is very committed to this ministry of helping people in their community. And the community responded with open arms and financial help when the crisis happened, showing members that their work for God has cemented relationships and opened doors that perhaps might have remained closed.

Madlyn Hamblin, Jackson Church correspondent