‘With love from Jesus’ serves growing need in Raleigh, and Clayton, North Carolina
Back in 2000, a small church and a local grocery store partnered to give away food that couldn’t be sold due to expiration dates. They boxed up the groceries and passed them out to those in need in Raleigh and the surrounding area. The effort was organic—simply offering help to those who looked like they needed it, with a heartfelt message:“Would you accept this with love from Jesus?”
Three years later, the effort became an official ministry in Raleigh, and in 2013, a smaller Clayton branch opened.
I recently spent a Friday afternoon with Krissy Crittenden, the executive director of the Johnston County location in Clayton. Crittenden has been a volunteer for six years and on staff for three. She immediately struck me as someone who exudes humility, fitting for a place like this. The two modest houses storing donated goods in Clayton are easy to overlook when driving by.
When I arrived, Crittenden was diligently sorting bags of donations in a garage.
But despite the humble setup, lives are being changed.
Shoppers must be 18 years old and can visit once a week to pick out groceries, clothes, household items, and other essentials. The Raleigh warehouse is large enough to include furniture like beds and appliances. Clayton hopes to add a similar warehouse in the future.
Crittenden proudly pointed out a volunteer who meticulously knits gloves, hats, and scarves for children. Toys are available for kids shopping with a parent as well.
I asked Crittenden how many guests visit both locations each week and whether she feels the need has increased given inflation and the higher cost of living.
“Definitely increasing,” she responded without hesitation. “We’re averaging 700 individuals a week in Raleigh and about 120 in Johnston County. We used to be open only on Thursday and Sunday, but by September, we needed to add Tuesday.”
It’s no secret that rising grocery prices have hit families and individuals on fixed incomes hard, forcing many to seek assistance wherever they can find it.
“A family with five kids, where both parents work, was coming in for a while because higher rent and living expenses made our food supplement a big help,” said Crittenden.
She also shared the story of a woman who lost everything in her freezer when it broke, leaving her unable to purchase replacement items due to high prices.
One unique aspect of the Clayton location is the fresh produce provided by a garden run by Tree of Life Anglican Church in nearby Garner. “The flower bouquets are so special for the ladies. Having fresh produce is an extra blessing,” Crittenden added.
Erin Wawzyniecki, who oversees the church’s garden ministry, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “Caring for the vulnerable is a responsibility for those who profess Christ,” she said. Fresh produce is often difficult to store and transport, making the local garden an invaluable resource. Most of what comes from the garden is given away within days of being harvested.
“The flower bouquets we give away are an example of the extravagant, lavish love God has for humankind,” Wawzyniecki said. “It represents something seemingly unnecessary yet deeply meaningful. We hope those receiving them feel—even in a small way—that they are special and loved.”
Crittenden first got involved with the ministry through Calvary Chapel of Clayton as a volunteer. “We needed help for a month or two when my husband got laid off,” she shared. “It was humbling to see it from the other side—not just as a volunteer, but as someone receiving help. Even my kids were excited to see what I was bringing home.”
Several local churches donate monthly, and corporate grocers like Food Lion partner with the ministry. “Our mission is to display the unity of the body of Christ,” Crittenden said.
Nearby Southside Christian School sends student volunteers as part of their service project requirements. Crittenden praised the Southside students for their work ethic, noting that they stay engaged rather than getting distracted by their phones —more of a problem for some adult volunteers.
I asked Crittenden if the work ever feels mundane or even overwhelming given the increasing need.
Not at all, it seems. “I’m excited to see God at work,” she said. “There have been so many moments when someone donates an item, and that same day, or the next, someone comes in who needs that exact thing.”
She recalled a time when someone donated a mailbox. That very same day, a guest came in who had just lost hers when a car plowed into it. She had gone to Lowe’s but couldn’t afford a new one. “That’s God’s timing,” Crittenden said.
She also mentioned a young homeless man searching desperately for a suitcase. “Someone had just dropped off a brand-new suitcase. That kind of thing happens here all the time—it never gets old.”
People often come to With Love From Jesus solely based on need and end up coming to know the Lord. The ways she said it suggests it happens quite a bit.
As I left, I couldn’t help but feel a little ashamed that I hadn’t known about this place sooner. It’s a reminder that a big part of the American dream is people of faith working together to lift up their entire community.
I told her I’d be back to volunteer—with my boys in tow.
