Advancing the Kingdom

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Chapter Four: ‘You S hall H ave the Poor With You Always’ (1978 – 2002)
etc. This Auction was the first real
fundraising effort in Kingdom House’s
history, and was a major change in the
way the agency raised funds. In its
first year, the auction raised $4500.00;
several years later, it was grossing
$12,000. The Auction was replaced as
the primary fundraiser for the agency by
the Annual Golf Tournament, begun in
the mid-1990s.
A less successful endeavor was the
attempt to provide discount furniture
to residents in the near south side
neighborhood through a volunteer shop.
‘Furniture to
Go’ is the name of
the new furniture
outlet store that is
being operated by
Kingdom House. All
proceeds from the
store will be used
to support Kingdom
House programs.
Located at 1622
S. Broadway, the
store is near the
Soulard Market on
the near southside.
Kingdom House
receives returned
and damaged
furniture donated
by a major
manufacturer. The
merchandise is
supplied through the
Office of Creative
Ministries in
Columbia.
At the store/
workshop, volunteers
sort, salvage, repair
and assemble the
items and then place
them on sale. The
items are sold at a
50 percent discount.
It is an all-
volunteer effort
that was started by several members of
the Webster First United Methodist Men.
They have already been joined by groups
from Kingshighway and Green Trails and
are actively seeking other individuals and
groups to help out. Interested groups should
call Kingdom House for more information.
The furniture consists of TV stands,
microwave carts, bookcases, wall unit
entertainment centers and stereo/VCR
cabinets. All furniture is assembled; delivery
service is available. Store hours are 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.”23
Although not short on enthusiasm,
the store closed after just one year due
to lack of profitability.
Another program, initiated during
that same time, was the Child Advocacy
Project (CAPS) in the Soulard
neighborhood, near to Kingdom House.
Charles McEowen, writing in the United
Methodist Reporter relates:
Although anchored administratively to
Kingdom House and focused initially in
the Soulard Area, the objective of the Child
Advocacy Project/Soulard, sponsored by
Conference United Methodist Women and
the Women’s Division of the General Board
of Global Ministries, seeks to become a
force and an emphasis in behalf of children
everywhere.
Already the Child Care program at
Kingdom House has been expanded into a
second facility in Soulard. A family center
opened on May 23 and efforts have begun to
share program resources and personnel with
other districts throughout the Missouri East
Conference.
In the early months of this decade (1980
was the International Year of the Child)
representatives of local UMW units formed
a Child Advocacy Task Force. The goal was
E
P hoto:
E: Irene Menos and Quilt
The Auction was
replaced as the
primary fundraiser
for the agency by
the Annual Golf
Tournament, begun in
the mid-1990 s.