Greene County Christian Outreach (GCCO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing various needs within the local community.
The organization provides numerous resources to Greene residents, including financial assistance for bills, a thrift shop, and temporary housing in emergencies.
GCCO was founded in 2000 and celebrates its 25th year of service this year.
Daby Benjamin, manager of GCCO’s thrift store in Greensboro, has worked with the nonprofit for almost seven years and in her current position for two. She believes the organization has done great things for the community, but many are unaware of its presence.
“I would love for the word to spread out even more, so people will know that you have a place to come and help,” Benjamin said. “There are people in need who don’t even know where to go or which door to knock on.”
According to Benjamin, the nonprofit’s thrift shop is a source of revenue for the organization, which helps cover employee payroll and community assistance expenses. She believes this resource has helped raise awareness of their work in the community.
“People donate free items to us, and we sell them to increase revenue,” Benjamin said. “It also goes back to the mission, which is to help the community.”
Benjamin believes she has seen much development in the organization’s work and is proud to see it still running after 25 years. GCCO has also become an agent of the Salvation Army, which assists in the local nonprofit’s financial expenses.
“It’s wonderful to know that we survived that long,” Benjamin said. “[Since] we are an agent for the Salvation Army, they provide us funds to cover light bills and rent.”
With the continuous work to support those in need, Benjamin believes that GCCO could benefit from additional kitchen items for the thrift shop and increased monetary donations.
“We would love to have more kitchen items because that’s where we can put more money,” Benjamin said. “We could also use more linens, radios, and electronics for better prices and more revenue.”
Besides Benjamin’s management position, GCCO also has a board of directors that includes 12 members from several churches throughout the county. Each of the member churches actively offers financial support to the nonprofit.
As GCCO’s treasurer, Rick Clayton manages the nonprofit’s finances, including entering and exiting transactions in its accounts. He finds the money limited because there is a “great need for assistance” in the county.
“We don’t have a lot of funds available, and the funds that we receive are typically coming from the local churches, individuals, and businesses within Greene County,” Clayton said. “We have to manage and steward that money as best as we can to help as many people as possible.”
According to Clayton, he began his involvement with the GCCO due to his experience volunteering at a thrift store for Saint Vincent de Paul. This Catholic nonprofit organization performs similar work. He credited his additional background in retail and finance for his involvement in both organizations.
“When it comes to charitable work, you get more out of it than you give, and it’s just really worthwhile,” Clayton said. “When I moved out to Greene County, the St. Vincent de Paul here really didn’t have a thrift store, so the closest thing to it was [the GCCO], so I started volunteering here.”
The GCCO board has been in action for just a few years, and Clayton believes it has now hit its “mature point.” He hopes to see more support for the nonprofit in the coming years.
“We’re trying to expand not only the awareness [of GCCO] but to get more people to come in and shop at the store and donate,” Clayton said. “[We will do] anything we can do to help all of the people within Greene County. It’s just important work.”
Monetary donations for the GCCO can be sent to the thrift shop located at 402 W. Broad St., Greensboro. The thrift shop is open from Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with drop-off hours available Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.