About an hour before the school bell rings Wednesday mornings at Crothersville Community Schools, a hot breakfast is served in the basement of a church building a block away.

Directly behind that building, a thrift shop sells donated clothing and household items at low prices three days a week.

Just over from that shop, a food pantry is available twice a month to help those in need.

Members of First Baptist Church of Crothersville take pride in offering these three services to people of all ages in the community.

“It’s a mission-oriented church because we do a lot of missions,” said Joyce Gillaspy, who has helped all 15 years the breakfast has been offered. “It’s a very mission-minded church, and this is a mission. This is a great mission.”

Jo Ann Webster, manager of the Clothes Cottage Thrift Store, said the congregation is happy to help.

“I think it’s just letting people know we’re there and we care and we just want to help,” she said. “The church is still going, and we have some really good people there. It’s just letting people know that there is help out there.”

Mary Jo Isenhower, director of the food pantry, said the services are successful because church members reach outside of their building.

“It’s not just our kids that are allowed at breakfast. It’s the community,” she said. “And you don’t have to be a (church) member to go to the Clothes Cottage or come in here. We service anybody. I think that’s good.”

Read the full story in Saturday’s Tribune and online at tribtown.com.