T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Andrew Beemer, president of Treasured by God Ministries, announces the partnership with the Food Bank of Iowa during a Saturday open house. The ministry, located in the former Gilman Community Church building, will focus on food assistance, but will still offer furniture assistance and a space for community and family events.

GILMAN — Since Treasured by God Ministries took over the former Gilman Community Church building in January, some changes have been made, both to the facility and the nonprofit.

President Andrew Beemer of Grinnell said the nonprofit is not solely focusing on providing furniture and household items for low-income people. Now they are providing a food pantry and an event center.

“I’m happy to announce that starting this month, Treasured by God Ministries is now a proud partner of the Food Bank of Iowa,” he said. “We will be having our first Food Bank of Iowa event on May 25 from 10 a.m. to [noon.]”

The partnership will allow Treasured by God to purchase food at very low cost. The food bank will make deliveries to Gilman once or twice each month. Beemer asked if people would be willing to volunteer their time and effort to carry food into the building when deliveries are made.

“Please let us know if that is something you would be interested in volunteering for,” he said.

The food pantry will be open two times each month for two hours to all residents of Marshall County.

“As of now, we plan on having the pantry open two Saturdays a month,” Beemer said.

Treasured by God hosted an open house on Saturday to inform the public about what the nonprofit offers, what changes have been made to the building and what future plans are.

Beemer formed Treasured by God in September 2021 to help single parents with free furniture and household assistance.

“I wanted to show them the love of Jesus, and remind them how much God loves them,” he said during his open house speech.

Within a little more than two years, Beemer provided furniture to more than 70 households. Since acquiring the Gilman building, one change to the nonprofit is that they will no longer purchase furniture.

“Therefore, we can only offer furniture assistance to someone if furniture has been donated,” he said. “We will focus more on helping people with food assistance, rather than furniture assistance.”

Beemer said he still could not believe how the nonprofit got the former church. He received a phone call from minister Linda Myren asking if Treasured by God would be interested in any items from the church after it closed following 152 years of service. That is when Beemer learned the church elders wanted to give the building to a nonprofit organization. He immediately made his interest known.

“I think one of the things the church liked about what I was doing was I was going to have the building open as often as possible,” Beemer said. “They liked that I was not going to use the building as a storage unit.”

Since January, several rooms in the church have been repainted, mainly in teal, which is the primary color associated with Treasured by God. Beemer said they are looking for some people who would be willing to help paint the sanctuary, and who would not be afraid of standing on a tall ladder. They also installed an additional restroom upstairs.

He said he would like the community to use the building as a place to host birthday parties, weddings, graduation celebrations, craft fairs and more.

Beemer said people can help Treasured by God through financial donations, or donations of furniture and non-perishable food. He said he does not want to tell people looking for help that they do not have food.

“I know that is possible,” Beemer said.

He added they are also looking for volunteers, especially during the days when the food pantry is open.

In order to continue, Beemer said the support of the community is necessary.

“It is our desire to make a huge positive impact in Gilman, as well as all of Marshall County,” he said. “We want this building to constantly be open and available to the community, and I know the former Gilman church wanted that, as well. Please share with family and friends our building is available to rent.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.