The Storehouse • Pflugerville

The Storehouse • Pflugerville

Written by Eric Pulsifer Friday, 01 August 2008

At the age of 59, Jack and Sandra Cochrun found themselves homeless. The hit to the economy and housing market following Sept. 11 left the college-educated couple on the streets.

“If someone would have told me it could happen to me, I would have laughed in their face,” Jack said. “We knew God had something for us to do; we just didn’t know what that was.”

The Cochruns found the assistance provided by churches and food pantries was not enough to get by.

In 2003, the Cochruns took a job at AAA Storage in Pflugerville, which provided them lodging, too. Soon after, they opened a food pantry in a donated storage space there. Within one year, the couple fed 4,000 people.

Today, The Storehouse feeds more than 30,000 people a year. The couple recently opened a thrift store next door to help fund the food pantry.

Looking back on the couple’s difficult days, Jack said the experience gave them an appreciation of what it is like to be forced to ask for help.

“We’ve been there,” he said. “We know how humiliating it is, and how people look down on you — even your friends.”

Jack said many of those served by The Storehouse work multiple jobs to support a family, but low-paying jobs and the high cost of living can create difficult choices.

“For a lot of our clients, it comes down to, ‘Do I put gas in the car, or buy milk for the family?’” Jack said. “The need is there. Right here in Pflugerville, one out of four children go to bed hungry every night.”

Those in need can come to The Storehouse to get everything necessary to make two to three days’ worth of meals, including meat, pasta, bread and canned goods. The couple encourages clients to visit other food pantries in the area as well because one pantry normally cannot provide enough for an entire family.

Many food pantries only serve people who live in their area and offer limited hours, but The Storehouse is open five days a week and Sandra said they will feed anyone in need, regardless of where they are from. The only requirement is that clients meet income guidelines from the state.

“It was our idea to not put any restrictions on The Storehouse,” she said. “We don’t turn anybody away.”

Besides feeding the hungry, the Cochruns work to provide spiritual guidance to clients. But Jack said he and the volunteers at The Storehouse try to spread kindness without being judgmental.

“We’re not the sin police,” Jack said. “We’re compassion without compromise. It’s available for everybody who walks through the door.”

The Storehouse currently has about 100 volunteers, but Sandra said it needs twice that many.

“We need help from our neighbors,” Sandra said. “God has been good to us. It’s miraculous that we’ve been able to come this far.”

The Cochruns host a radio show on KLGO 99.3 FM every Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to spread awareness about their ministry and the need in Pflugerville.

“The need is huge,” Jack said. “It’s our job to help people.”

The Storehouse Thrift Store

The Storehouse will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a fundraiser dinner Sept. 20 that will include a raffle, live and silent auctions and activities for children.

It will he held at the Pflugerville Lions Club, 500 N. Railroad Ave. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., and the live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by the raffle drawing. Meal tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. It will be the first fundraiser for the organization.

Currently, no major donors or grants help with The Storehouse’s expenses; approximately 200 local donors fund the store’s $230,000 annual budget. The Storehouse Thrift Store recently opened and will offset some expenses and provide clothes to those who need them.

“The people in the Pflugerville and Round Rock area are just so generous,” said Linda Wilkey, manager of The Storehouse Thrift Store. “They’ve been great about cleaning out their closets and garages and sharing with us.”

To arrange a donation of clothing or small household items, call The Storehouse Thrift Store at 989-0641.