Common Ground Free Store is a warm, welcoming place where basic material needs – clothing, shoes, household goods, linens, toys, personal care items, diapers, wipes, and prepared meals – are available to anyone for free. The Free Store is stocked with community donations and operated by a volunteer base of more than 1,800 compassionate individuals, working hard in mission and ministry.
Our Mission
It is Common Ground's mission to share God’s loving gifts with all by providing basic needs in a caring, compassionate environment of unconditional acceptance and dignity, with a vision to freely serve all God’s children until no one is in need.
Our Values
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Dignity
Fostering respect for each person
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Compassion
Understanding life’s challenges and willingly sharing guidance, safety, hope and support
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Service
Placing others before self, providing good stewardship in the management of resources, and ensuring integrity, quality, and excellence in all we do
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Acceptance
Offering a haven of support for all who face a time of need in their life’s journey
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Relationships
Cultivating and creating partnerships with the community and nurturing the Common Ground family
Our HIstory
In 2006, a group of caring people from William Street United Methodist Church, after serving at a free store in Columbus and on a mission trip in Athens, Ohio, felt the call to start a free store and invited folks from more than ten other local churches to join in the effort. With faith and lots of prayer, Common Ground Free Store Ministries opened its doors in September 2006. Since then, it has grown consistently, with the work and support of many local churches, community groups, local schools, and individuals, providing material items and hot meals with dignity and hope for thousands families in Delaware County and beyond. Today, a deeply committed group of individuals, local congregations, corporations, and foundations support Common Ground’s daily operations.
