The new, walk-in shed provides more room for clothing donations and easy cart access
When Dillard Leeds, 15, a freshman at Trinity Christian Academy and member of Boy Scout Troop 815, learned that The Storehouse of Collin County had outgrown its Joseph’s Coat Donation Shed, which receives more than 5,000 donations a month, he knew he wanted his Eagle Scout project to provide a new one!
Leeds, along with his father Jason and 17 other scouts, built the shed in two full days with an additional full day for painting. A concrete foundation was poured a month before building began. Planning for the project started in July of 2020, and the shed was completed in April 2021.
The new donation shed’s design is much larger which will allow for the collection and storing of more clothing and shoes. It also includes full-height double doors in the back allowing for rolling receptacles inside to catch clothing donations, preventing them from falling on the floor. Also, new hinges on the hatch drop-off door keep the door open while donors deposit their items.
“Our most heartfelt thanks go to Dillard and his team of helpers for investing in The Storehouse and our mission to ‘feed, clothe, and care as neighbors in one community!’” said Christi Ferrell, director of Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, a program of The Storehouse of Collin County. “With the expansion of Joseph’s Coat, we had outgrown the previous donation shed, and the wood had rotted allowing rain and critters inside. Additionally, the height of the new shed prevents us from hitting our heads and the placement of rolling carts inside prevents us from having to lift heavy bags, making the process much safer for volunteers and staff when collecting the items.”
Joseph’s Coat was closed between March and July in 2020 during COVID-19. Staff worked to reopen the program in August of 2020 using an appointment-only model to keep neighbors and volunteers safe. The appointment model has continued as it provides neighbors a peaceful and organized shopping experience without making them feel rushed. Anyone in Collin County in need of clothing can visit www.thestorehousecc.org/josephs-coat to schedule an appointment. Joseph’s Coat distributes approximately 4,000 clothing items each month.
“Dillard’s initiative and hard work has made a remarkable difference in the safety and efficiency of our collection process, the cleanliness of our clothing and updated the aesthetic look of our parking lot as well,” added Ferrell. “His hard work and generosity will benefit our community, our neighbors, and our mission for many years to come.”
“When I heard how many donations Joseph’s Coat receives each month, I knew that I could help by making a new shed that would make it easier to collect clothes and possibly allow The Storehouse to donate more clothes and help more people,” said Dillard Leeds. “Now that the shed is completed, I feel accomplished and proud of all the work we did to build a shed that will help many people.”
Donations of clothing and shoes may be dropped into the Joseph's Coat Donation Shed, located in the parking lot next to The Storehouse of Collin County, 1401 Mira Vista Boulevard, Plano, 75093
The Storehouse of Collin County provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin County in need through the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, and Project Hope. The nonprofit was founded in 2009 under the name of Seven Loaves Community which provided only food pantry staples and grew over the years to meet a variety of needs. Over 1,600 families on average access the Seven Loaves Food Pantry each month. The Storehouse also provides an opportunity to receive clothing at Joseph’s Coat as well as referrals to community resources through the Project Hope relational program. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org.
Here's some information about Joseph's Coat