About Hope Chest

​The Hope Chest began in 1967 as a Sunday School mission & outreach program by elementary school teachers from Hope Ridge United Methodist Church and Painesville United Methodist Church. The program distributed donated coats and shoes to students who were missing school in bad weather because they did not have these necessary items. 

 

Before moving into a basement and then into a series of "stores" in Painesville and Fairport, Hope Chest started distributing donated items from the trunk of a car. In 1967, The Hope Chest Inc. was incorporated with bylaws and a Board of Trustees. Today, Hope Chest is operated by a group of 30 active volunteers, including 25 Trustees representing 11 churches and various organizations in the Northeast Ohio area.  Our core mission remains the same as it was 50 years ago: To provide, at no charge, basic clothing and household goods to individuals in Northeast Ohio needing assistance, with emphasis on school-age children to increase their self-confidence.

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Hope Chest is a 100% volunteer-run, non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization that collects new and gently used clothing, small appliances, and household items to help Northeast Ohio residents of all ages. Thanks to funding and donations from individuals, local churches, businesses and community organizations, the opportunity to shop at our location is free to individuals in need.

 

Since 2004*, Hope Chest has helped serve and provide: