Center of Hope has a new path to assisting those in need. The non-profit organization founded 40 years ago has the largest pantry in the area, helps cancer patients, delivers Christmas presents, and has 80 active volunteers. They welcomed a record number of guests last year, yet strive to reach more.
Threads of Hope plans to provide clothing for the children of Polk County, servicing newborns to college-aged children with donations. Clients will meet the same criteria as Center of Hope, and the experience will be with a shopper who shows them around.
The ministry takes over for the former Kids Free Clothing Exchange.
“The Kids Free Clothing Exchange in Onalaska did a marvelous job,” Center of Hope Board President Mike Fortney said. “It was just time for them to pass the baton. The board here voted unanimously to accept it.”
Some of the leaders who ran the organization in Onalaska are now at Center of Hope to help it continue.
“They have been a huge, huge help in helping us set this up,” Threads of Hope Chair Karen Cox said. “They are here, teaching us the ropes, sharing. They did an amazing job, and very well organized. We’ve taken that over as a ministry and made very few changes, because that was a great program and it went on for 20-plus years. We’re going to be open on Fridays and one Saturday a month.
“They go in and get to choose their kids’ clothing. Kids can come in, too, and be a part of that, especially during this time before school starts.”
Clients will need a photo ID for the parent or guardian, along with verification that they live in Polk County. If anyone in the household receives benefits, such as SNAP or Medicaid, the state has already qualified them.
Visitors who provide everything needed can register and go home with clothing in the same day. They’ll be able to visit every two months for clothes, and every six months for shoes. Twice a year, they can shop for two pairs of shoes. The child must be in the household and in Polk County, with paperwork that shows the home address.
There are broad income guidelines to meet, and crisis situations like house fires or natural disasters are considered.
“We just want everybody to have the same opportunity,” Cox said. “We want to preserve their dignity, to preserve their hope. We want them to be able to have the type of clothes and shoes that everyone else does.”
The center also needs donations of new clothing or gently used clothing. They do not put out items that are stained, torn or have holes. All of the socks, underwear, and shoes given away are new. A donation bin that sits in front of the store on Business 59 is checked several times each week.
Those looking for an opportunity to volunteer can find it here, where around 10 helpers are needed. Center volunteers take the clothes from the bin, sort by season, and prep them for the store. The store is constantly upgrading and restocking. Contact can be made via phone or Facebook pages for Threads of Hope and Center of Hope.
Last year, almost 9,000 families entered the doors at 600 South Washington Avenue in Livingston. The community and 15 member churches help the organization meet needs. The center’s food pantry is the largest in a multi-county area and recognized by the Southeast Texas Food Bank as a platinum-level center. It feeds 750-1,100 families per month. They also operate a bus to take those without transportation for food, often delivering to shut-ins.
They offer a variety of services to the people of Polk County. The cancer support ministry helps patients gain access to care by defraying the costs of gas, parking and meals. Campaign 300 helps clients when they experience a financial crisis, while emergency health assists in the costs of prescriptions and medical supplies.
Christmas of Hope took over the Empty Socking Program in 2022, and now offers the parents of approximately 1,100 children the opportunity to shop for toys and gifts in a no-cost store.
At the county’s request, Center of Hope also developed a disaster response that coordinates and receives all private donations and handles volunteer coordination following disasters. After Hurricane Harvey, the tornado of 2020, and hurricane in 2024, disaster response moved hundreds of tons of donated food, supplies and materials. They also repaired over 60 homes to non-insured victims.
Center of Hope is a Christian ministry and registered 501(c)3 that operates with an all-volunteer force. They are open every Tuesday and Thursday 1-3:30 p.m. and every third Saturday of the month 9:30-11:30 a.m. and can be reached by calling 936-327-7634.
