Local and state officials were present March 3 in the lot behind Faith Christian Family Church for the groundbreaking for the church’s Share House project.

According to FCFC Outreach Ministry Co-Director Dennis “Denny” Gladieux, church members began planning five years ago to get to a point where they could proceed with the project.

Warren County Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus was one of the local officials present at the groundbreaking event, calling the Share House a potentially great asset for the community.

Christina Carver with the Missouri Department of Economic Development said about the project, “We look forward to a day when the Share House project opens its doors for thousands of residents to prosper.”

The Share House project was part of a number of projects that recently received grant funding from the Department of Economic Development. The Share House is receiving $597,007 from the state, with an additional $22,560 in funds from FCFC.

The project would allow the church to construct a 60-foot by 160-foot steel frame building on the church’s campus at 17350 East Veterans Memorial Parkway, according to Boonslick Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Teresa Lee, during a previous interview. Lee said the county was the applicant for the grant and BRPC will be administering the grant to ensure that the project meets all of the state’s qualifications.

Previously, Gladieux said in an email that the Share House will serve families, single mothers, seniors and veterans in Warren County who are experiencing crisis situations by collecting, staging and distributing essential home furnishings.

“Donations will include new or gently used furniture, small appliances, dishes, bedding and other household necessities,” Gladieux said in an email.

Gladieux said individuals and families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing, fleeing domestic violence, recovering from disasters such as fires or facing financial hardship will be referred to the Share House through a number of community partners. These partners include AGAPE, Anchor House, Compass Health Network and local churches.

Once the facility is complete, Gladieux said the community is invited to donate gently used furniture and household items such as dishes, towels and bedding. He said the Share House will also need the assistance of volunteers to help clients to select and load items from the facility.

Gladieux said the church anticipates construction on the project to begin in the summer, with completion in 2028.