The Care Mission in LaFayette is a thrift store that offers some of the best deals around.

It also offers some of the best spiritual deals to those who need help the most, the owners said. Founded as a way to minister to the area’s needy, the mission offers food, clothing, furniture and prayers to those who need a little extra assistance, said founder Kendra Phillips.

“It amazes me how many people keep coming to us,” she said. “We’re looking at relocating right now because I think we’re outgrowing our building.”

The mission was founded a little more than a year ago and recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Phillips said her goals now are to find a bigger building for the store and food pantry and to start a shelter. The current three-story building on North Chattanooga Street is big enough but her older volunteers sometimes have difficulty climbing the stairs, she said.

In addition to giving out food three days a week, Phillips has also made the mission a favorite hangout for many bargain hunters. Workers sift through all the clothes, separating those still suitable for wearing from the threadbare, stained and ripped. The result, customers said, is a paradise for those high on fashion but short on cash.

AUDIO: Kendra Phillips talks about why she started the Care Mission a year ago. (0:43)

With $5, one can buy a complete outfit. Jeans are $1. Adult tops are 50 cents. Winter coats are $2.

“I go about every week,” said customer Mattie Davis. “I love to shop, that’s why I’ve got to quit going. I say I’m going to quit and here I am again.”

Phillips’ compassion for those in need prevents the prices from rising, she said. All the proceeds go toward purchasing food and supplies for the food pantry.

Winona Young is one of about 10 volunteers at the ministry.

“I feel I was called of God,” she said. “I plan to stay until God sends me elsewhere.”

Phillips said the mission requires those who receive free assistance three times within four months to donate 20 hours of their time volunteering. Time spent in the mission’s monthly fellowships counts toward volunteer time.

“I believe that Christ gave a lot while he was here on earth,” Phillips said. “He gave, so they have to give back a little bit.”

One of the features of the mission is a prayer request book. The handwritten notes scribbled on its pages tell the stories of the people who come there for assistance. Some pray for “deliverance from drugs.” One asked that a certain woman would “get a job and her home back.” Another request was “for our finances and that (a loved one) walk again soon and the Lord blesses us.”

On the first Sunday of every month, the mission has a fellowship from 5-7 p.m. in which they read over the prayer book and make their spiritual requests accordingly.

Phillips said she has always had “a mission heart.” Before moving to LaFayette, she worked for a similar mission organization, Christ Chapel in Catoosa County.

Phillips said she noticed a need for additional services when her family moved to LaFayette. The Care Mission was founded after her husband incorporated it under his Ringgold-based, Christian service group Here I Am.

The Care Mission

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Location: 105 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette
4,903: Number of people assisted as of May 31 (some served more than once)
$4,500: Monthly operational costs
$2,400: Monthly amount generated from the thrift store
Mission hours: Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the thrift store and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the food pantry, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information: (706) 638-3664

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