Outreach Grant Program

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: March 2025

Local charities and nonprofits are invited to submit applications for grants to The Church of the Good Shepherd’s Outreach Grant Program, starting April 1 through May 1. They’ll find the application at goodshepherdofcashiers.com.

To be considered for a grant, your completed application must be received in the church office by May 1,” says Vice-Chair of the Outreach Committee Rose Mary Achey. “You can mail it to P.O. Box 32, Cashiers, NC 28717 or email a PDF of the application to goodshepadmin@frontier.com. If there are questions, just call (828) 743-2359.”

According to Achey, “Our Outreach Program offers financial support as well as many hours of service and support by parishioners to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on education, environmental protection, food insecurities, healthcare and wellness, shelter and housing, and other human services primarily serving Cashiers-Highlands Plateau.”

Last year, the church was able to grant $343,113 to 42 organizations across the Plateau.

Fueling this generosity is the Bazaar Barn and a church with a long history of caring.

The Church of the Good Shepherd’s fundraising Bazaar began in 1986 under the wise supervision of Marie Cranston. The church’s rector, the Rev. Steve Hines, endorsed the notion and donated some things from his parent’s home to combine with a selection of donated ladies’ apparel.

The event was a rousing success. It raised $2,320 and planning began immediately for the 2nd Annual Auction and Bazaar.

By 2003 the Good Shepherd’s Annual Auction and Bazaar had grown so much that the church grounds could no longer contain it.  Under the leadership of Chair Debbie Lassiter, the Bazaar moved (with some trepidation) from the church grounds to the Cashiers Community Center.  Although increased volunteer effort was needed to stage the Bazaar, proceeds from the 2003 Auction and Bazaar reached $42,299.

But the emergence of Covid-19 in 2020 threw everyone’s plans into chaos.

Determined Barn Chair Sharon Stricker put her head together with Father Rob Wood and soon-to-be co-chair Laura Lankford, and with masks on, volunteers began opening the Barn Warehouse a few weekends a month, then every weekend a month as conditions allowed.

In 2024, after several years of continued growth, The Church of the Good Shepherd purchased a 10,000 square foot building on highway 107 North (across from Blue Ridge School). The new Bazaar Barn is open every Friday and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.