Trace Ridge Church opens community resource center for residents in need

The Resource Center at Trace Ridge Church is open for business, welcoming everyone who needs food, clothing, and hope.

Trace Ridge Church has been collecting clothes, furniture, hygiene products, and perishables over the summer. All items were donated to The Resource Center by members of the church and the surrounding local community.

Items ranging from baby clothes to baby formula, to shampoo and shoes, to men's clothes and microwaves are available to the public.

"Everything is free," said Steve Street, pastor of Trace Ridge. "And we only keep high-quality donations on our shelves."

Clothing with tags still attached and perishables line the walls of the Resource Center – with as much product allowed squeezed in between.

"We want this room to be empty," Street said.

The inspiration for The Resource Center comes from the Youth programs at the church.

"We started with a ‘clothes closet' for our eight-grade girls on Wednesday nights," said Christy Street, the operator of the Resource Center.

Street and others working with the Youth programs noticed how meaningful it was to resource the girls with something they not only needed, but something that brought confidence to their lives. Because the effects were so positive, Trace Ridge started looking and praying for ways to expand this ministry. Trace Ridge's prayers were answered.

"People started offering us clothes," Pastor Street said.

Combined with Trace Ridge's established food pantry, The Resource Center makes the best of both worlds.

"We are also partnering with the Mississippi Food Network to make backpacks for the children at Ann Smith Elementary so children can have food on the weekends," Street said.

Although space is limited, The Resource Center offers more than what's available within its four walls.

"God has blessed us, and we want to be a blessing to others," Street said. "We all have low times in our lives. I want The Resource Center to be a place of encouragement and happiness."

The Resource Center hopes to offer weekend hours and a wider variety of products soon to help as many as possible. Donations are always accepted at The Resource Center, and partnership opportunities are available.

Pastor Street said, "The only question we ask at the Resource Center is ‘Do you have any additional needs we can meet?'"

Open to the public with all items free of charge, The Resource Center is open 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Tuesday or by making an appointment at 601-856-2529. The Resource Center is located at 238 Lake Harbour Drive in Ridgeland at "The Ramp" on the left side of the main church building.

"We cannot wait to have some customers," Street said.