OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Just off Old Highway 163 as you enter Oskaloosa sits a little white church with a bright red roof. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary church space, but what's inside tells a different story.
Sheila Guiter and Jayme MacDonald are just two of the many faces behind "Give It Up, Mahaska!", an initiative that started as a private Facebook group during the COVID-19 shutdown.
"We started this in a way to communicate with each other and help each other," Guiter told Local 5. "If I have something that you need, take it, and if I need something, I'm gonna ask."
By word of mouth, the group started growing quickly. More and more residents in the county wanted to expand, so the group decided to put on their first event just before a new school year started.
“We thought it would be fun to do shoes and [hair]do’s, so we gave school kids a bunch of new shoes and a new haircut. There were over 800 pairs of shoes in my house," Guiter said.
Every pair was donated by a member of the community or bought with donated money. That outpouring of support from people across the county started drawing eyes, including the pastor of the little white church, Kathryn Polson.
Polson was inspired by the group's efforts to serve the community and invited them into Osky Open Bible so some of their items could be stored inside. With the newfound space, the women gained momentum.
"Sheila started with one closet, and then another, and that probably lasted about a week," MacDonald said.
Unused items began flooding in from the community. Now, the church serves as a one-stop shop for those in need. Everything from pantry essentials to baby clothes to kitchen appliances, filling every corner of the space.
The best part: it’s all free. When you come in, the group won’t ask to verify income or need.
"I don’t want you to tell me your business," Guiter said. "I’m going to guess that if you’re coming to the door and telling me you’re hungry, there’s a reason you’re there.”
There’s even a drive-up option out front for people who may not want to come inside.
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, anyone can stop by the "blessing box," a bright blue box with sliding doors located in the church parking lot. Just next to it, there’s another box that serves a different purpose but is also making an impact across Mahaska County.
Created by “Steps of Hope,” which spreads awareness for substance abuse disorders and the stigma surrounding overdose deaths, the county now has its first naloxone box. The Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition keeps it fully stocked with the life-saving medication.
"Naloxone from this box has reversed two opioid overdoses since we’ve had this box here," MacDonald said. "That's what's truly amazing about this."
MacDonald also helped start a recovery-focused group part of a larger organization called Sober Soldierz. They host community meals and weekly meetings at the church in Oskaloosa.
Every corner of the church and the space around it is centered around the same mission: Give it up, in order to give back.
Give It Up Mahaska is fully run by volunteers with full-time jobs, so the store is currently available by appointment. Both the "blessing" and naloxone boxes are available to the public at any time.