Apr 22, 2013 5 min read

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All it took was one bag of clothes, and Jeanne Allender was off and running, answering God’s call to minister to those in need.

That was 35 years ago, when she worked out of the trunk of her car.

Today, she is the director of Washington Christian Outreach, a flourishing soup kitchen that feeds not only the body but also the spirit of the homeless and low-income residents.

“There was something within me that wouldn’t allow me to quit. I knew it had to be God,” Allender said.

After operating in various locations for 14 years, WCO moved to its current location on Highland Avenue 19 years ago, when the owners of the building, much to Allender’s surprise, agreed to sell it for $50,000, or half the asking price.

“I was very naïve,” the 78-year-old said. “The banker says, ‘What does Washington Christian Outreach own?’ I said, ‘We own a refrigerator, microwave and pans. … We have no collateral, but we have Jesus.’ Washington Federal took a chance on us in the community.”

The next day, Allender received an offer from a gentleman that would have resulted in a $25,000 profit. Of course, she turned him down.

“I said, ‘Sir, I can’t sell you God’s property,'” Allender said. “It goes to show how our Lord is. God still holds those prayers and blesses us.”

But Allender credits her grandmother, who raised her, with showing her the true value of providing for others.

“My grandmother is a big part of this,” said Allender, who grew up in the West End of Washington. “She taught me how to give without expecting anything back.”

WCO is open four hours a day – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m – Monday through Friday. It is run solely by volunteers and relies on donations from businesses and the community, plus proceeds from various fundraisers it holds throughout the year, to survive.

The outreach serves anywhere between 150 and 250 people each day, and has partnered with several area restaurants, such as the Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Bob Evans, that supply many of the meals. Volunteers also come in during off hours to make chili or casseroles, and the Moose Lodge in Washington makes meatloaf from ground meat provided by the outreach.

That’s quite a switch from the coffee and doughnuts WCO originally served.

“These guys couldn’t afford to go to the Olive Garden or Bob Evans for a meal, so they come to them,” Allender said.

In addition, WCO provides free clothing for men, women and children, toys and furniture. Even though there is no space on site to store furniture, Allender has accepted a “needs list” from those who are eligible. When donations become available, primarily from churches and individual donors, Allender will fulfill those requests.

A few years ago, the brother of a WCO volunteer who died donated all of the furnishings from the volunteer’s apartment to the outreach. The donation was a godsend for a young girl who had just lost all of her belongings in a fire.

Anyone who requests clothing must show proof of need, and supply their Social Security cards and documentation of all income. There are those who try to beat the system, but Allender has become wise to them, especially during the holidays when some will try to double and triple dip from other nonprofits.

“We’re here for the needy, not the greedy,” Allender said. “I’m very strict with God’s money. I don’t want them to abuse God’s ministry.”

Everything is meticulously inventoried and recorded. Each individual is permitted five pairs of pants, five shirts and five blouses. When they’ve acquired the maximum amount, they are not eligible to receive any more clothing for another two months.

WCO also holds a worship service each day at 10:30 a.m., and anyone inside the building is required to attend. Those outside must keep their distance.

“What they do is some will be on the stoop and not come in during the service,” Allender said. “They can’t stand on the stoop while there’s a service. That’s an insult to Jesus. They can wait on the sidewalk. I don’t even allow them in the parking lot.

“What the Lord wants and what I really want for him is their spirit. If it wasn’t for that pulpit, I wouldn’t be there. But if we just gave them physical food, what would we be giving them? Spiritual is more important, but they have to eat, too. I understand that.

“I don’t make services mandatory,” she continued, “because it won’t work, and I wouldn’t want to. But you have to show respect.”

And Allender, who is an ordained minister, practices what she preaches. She addresses everyone by sir or ma’am, “even the prostitutes,” and everyone, in turn, has become very fond of her, affectionately calling Allender Momma, Grandma or Aunt Jeanne.

“They know I love them,” Allender said. “They’ll come right out and say, ‘Jeanne loves me.’ I love what I’m doing, and I love what God’s doing with it.”