Our Community Services
Sugartree Ministries first and foremost aims to share the "good news" that Jesus died for our sins (John 3:6). We also do the following for, what Matthew 25 called, “the least of these” (older adults, low-income families, single mothers, those living with mental illness, those struggling with substance use, etc.).
Good News
We share the good news and gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
Groceries
We provide pick-up and delivered groceries from our supply of donations.
Prescriptions
We pay for medical prescriptions in emergency situations.
Rent & Utilities
We pay rent or utilities in emergency situations if we have the funds available.
Recovery Partners
We provide a 12-step addiction support group and connect people to professionals.
Hot Meals
We serve 7 hot meals a week provided by local churches and community organizations
IDs
We pay for birth certificates and IDs for people to get employment.
Household Necessities
We purchase mattresses and other necessities for newly housed people.
Employment
We provide landscaping jobs because we believe work provides purpose and healing.
Community Events
We host professional community resource events to help people move forward in life.
Emergency Shelter
We provide emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness.
Transportation
We provide rides to healthcare/treatment and to return people to their home community.
Warming Items
We provide blankets, gloves, and hats for people during winter months.
Work Clothes
We purchase work clothes and uniforms to help people get to work.
About Us
Sugartree Ministries started in the late 1990s on, you guessed it, Sugartree Street in Wilmington, Ohio. Originally founded by a man named Allen Willoughby as a Christian music venue and coffeehouse called Joe's Java, Sugartree Ministries has grown with the needs of our community—especially after DHL, a major employer, pulled out in 2008 and our community has felt the affects of our nationwide mental health and addiction crisis.
Today, Sugartree Ministries helps the neediest members of our community in many ways, with the focus being on serving 7 hot meals a week. These meals are 100% from community donations, and while we promote accountability, we believe that no mater what a person has done, no one should fall below food, water, air, shelter, and Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Sugartree Ministries do?First, we share the good news/gospel. We also do the following for, what Matthew 25 called, “the least of these” (older adults, low-income families, single mothers, those living with mental illness, those struggling with substance use, etc.): pay rent or utilities in emergency situations provide transportation to return people to their home community connect to recovery programs employ with landscaping serves 6 hot meals per week (25 churches plus several community organizations prepare and serve these meals) hand out groceries provide emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness provide transportation vouchers for health care and rehab visits purchase clothes for people to work pay for birth certificates and IDs for people to get jobs host community resource events, including representatives for health insurance, mental health recovery services, rural veterans, in- and outpatient drug recovery, and more. pay for prescriptions in emergencies provide blankets, gloves, and hats for winter purchase mattresses and other necessities for newly housed people These services help provide emergency aid, reduce the number of people on the streets, and prevent future problems.
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Who does Sugartree Ministries partner with?Sugartree Ministries works closely with local law enforcement, addiction services, the Clinton County Homeless Shelter, Hope House, counseling, and other humanitarian nonprofits in the area.
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Does Sugartree Ministries place a time limit on people receiving services at Sugartree?No. For those suffering from addiction, recovery can take months or even years. Furthermore, many of the people that receive help from Sugartree Ministries are living with disabilities and utilize our services for the long term. For many of these people, Sugartree Ministries is much more than food, it is a loving support system that they may not have elsewhere.
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Are homeless and others bussed into Sugartree Ministries from other communities?No. The vast majority of people utilizing services at Sugartree Ministries are from the Wilmington/Clinton County area. A minority of people are from other communities, and when possible, Sugartree Ministries tries to get them back to their home community. There have been a small number of cases where law enforcement officials from other communities have driven people to Wilmington. City officials are aware of this and have taken measures to stop it.
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Does Sugartree Ministries receive any sort of benefit for accepting or hosting people from other communities?No. In fact, Sugartree Ministries prefers that those who need help stay in their own community. That is where they are most likely to have support from loved ones. Sugartree Ministries spends hundreds of dollars each year sending those in need back into their home communities. We frequently buy bus tickets and/or drive people back to their communities.
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How does Sugartree Ministries try to help people turn their lives around?We have a thriving landscaping service that employs recovering addicts and formerly homeless people. We host mental health agencies and health insurance agencies, as well as other service agencies, at various mealtimes at Sugartree Ministries. We offer vouchers to people using public transportation for mental health and addiction service appointments. We offer groceries and six hot meals a week, available on site at the ministry or by delivery for people with limited mobility or lack of transportation. In some cases, we offer temporary housing for people who are unable to access affordable housing.
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What is 193 E Main Street?This is the house that Sugartree Ministries rents. Several recovering male addicts, who suffer from a variety of physical and mental health issues, live there. If these men did not live there, they would most likely be on the street. Two responsible men live there and oversee the house.
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Can I come to Sugartree Ministries and observe the ministry?Absolutely! We have welcomed visitors since we first opened in the late 1990s. You can come and see or volunteer with us anytime.
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Who funds Sugartree Ministries?We are funded by individual donations and occasionally grants from corporations and nonprofit organizations such as the United Way, Walmart, Health First, and Amazon.
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Who is on the Board of Sugartree Ministries?The board is comprised of people who are dedicated to helping those in need in and around Wilmington. They come from all walks of life and include a retired air force officer, a legal secretary, a local farmer, a former missionary, a recovery pastor, the former director of Sugartree Ministries, a retired college math professor and church elder, a law student and mom, a current local law enforcement officer, and a current college professor and author.
Landscaping
Sugartree Ministries offers landscaping services by donation to help fund our ministry and help the guys we work with get back into the flow of working. Our landscaping services include lawn mowing and mulching. At this time we do not offer gardening, or planting of trees and bushes.
Lawn Mowing
Mulching
Trees, Bushes & Flowers
Connect with us!
Thank you for your interest in Sugartree Ministries. Please email us below and we will review your message shortly. For emergencies, please give us a call. We look forward to connecting with you.