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Helping Families
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: June 2023
The Church of the Good Shepherd’s Mattress Ministry is a loving gift to the entire community. Call (828) 226-2588 for assistance or more information.
Skip Ryan
When neighbors are in need, the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers responds. They have been giving back to the community for many years through their ministry of The Bazaar Barn where they sell gently used home furnishings and accessories and give the proceeds to area nonprofits. A bit less known but no less important is their Mattress Ministry.
Donors have been generous! A robust real estate market resulted in people buying homes that contained furnishings they couldn’t use, so the new owners donated them to the Bazaar Barn. All items were welcome except mattresses, which they couldn’t accept since North Carolina law prohibits the sale of used mattresses. Frustrated at the wastefulness of having to turn perfectly good bedding away and recognizing that many in our community needed mattresses, the church dedicated a storage unit, and the Mattress Ministry was born.
Skip Ryan, the Ministry manager, says that anyone in need of mattresses and box springs should reach out to them. They’ve provided gently used and nearly new mattresses to people throughout Western North Carolina. Their ministry isn’t limited to a certain area but is based on need, so anyone seeking a mattress can give them a call.
The Ministry has become a Cashiers community effort. Mark Durham of Blue Ridge Bedding and Chris Chastain from The Consignment Market in Cashiers also donate mattresses to the cause. And Stephen Rice of R&R Moving Services has contributed a portion of his time.
“Serving others through the Mattress Ministry is one of the most satisfying things I do at the Bazaar Barn,” says Skip. “It is genuinely meaningful to fill such a basic need and see the difference it makes in people’s lives.”
There are many heartwarming stories of families they’ve helped, including a family making a transition from living in their car to a permanent home. Being able to provide them with mattresses and box springs ensured that the family’s basic physical needs were met. Nothing says you’re home like a comfortable bed.
Mattress Ministry is always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. Simply give Skip Ryan a call at (828) 226-2588 for assistance. Likewise, call if you have gently used mattresses and box springs to donate. You can drop your items off, or pickup can be arranged.
This ministry is a blessing to all, those who give and those who receive
