Fresh Start
428 E. Blaine St.
Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: 417-837-1550
Hours
Monday through Friday—8AM to 4:30 PM
Directions
When traveling north on Benton (Kimbrough becomes Benton north of Chestnut Expressway) turn west on Blaine St. (Blaine is a very small street about a quarter of a block south of Commercial). Fresh Start is half way down the block on the north side of the street. You will see a FRESH START sign on the building.
About
Fresh Start is the receiving and distributing location for all non-food donations. We are always in need of all types of furniture, dishes, flatware, utensils, bedding (i.e. sheets, blankets, and bedspreads), large and small working appliances. We accept used mattresses if they are in good condition. We welcome clean clothing in good repair, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and good office supplies and working office equipment— just about anything you may have that can be used in a home or an organization. If you are in doubt, please call; chances are, we have just been waiting for your donation! The only items we are unable to accept are non-working appliances, torn, badly soiled or badly worn upholstered furniture, waterbeds or opened cans of paint and varnish.
Less than 10% of The Kitchen’s budget is used for operating expenses. This is due in part to your generosity; your donations are used to furnish and supply our shelter rooms, apartments and offices. Since donations make up approximately 1/3 of our income, your gifts are crucial to the work we do! Donated funds are then available for direct service to those who come to us in need. People who have lost their homes and apartments have usually lost everything they own. Your donations of furniture and household items offer a “Fresh Start” to those who leave our shelter and transitional apartments and return to independent living.
Fresh Start also serves the community who come for food at our Emergency Assistance program (across the street from the Fresh Start building). The case managers there give the clients vouchers which list the items needed; the client then presents the voucher to Fresh Start where it is filled. All donated clothing and collectables, jewelry and specialty items are sent to Maggie’s Boutique, The Kitchen's free/thrift store with any/all proceeds coming back to support Kitchen programs.
Services
- Distribution Center providing good used furniture, appliances and other needed household items
- Receiving center providing sorting and storage of all non-edible goods
- Provides warehousing and general working experience for residents.