Nonprofit Provides Necessities & Hope for Those In Need
Photography Provided
For Marilyn’s Place founder Glenn Conn, giving back to the community is much more than just a casual, occasional pursuit.
“I have been homeless myself,” he says. “I’ve been in need, and there have been a lot of people who have helped me through the years. I’m just so glad to be able to pay it forward, and to help others like I was helped when I was in need.”
Marilyn’s Place is a non-food pantry, meaning the nonprofit organization provides clothing, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies to those in need. Applicants receive these items free of charge, and the organization operates on a voucher system that factors in age and the number of individuals being served.
Upon moving to Noblesville, Conn was interested in starting a traditional food pantry, before realizing the need had already been filled in the Noblesville community. This led him to start thinking outside the box, which prompted the idea for a non-food pantry.
“I literally woke up one morning thinking, ‘Well, wait a minute. There are food pantries. Why not a non-food pantry?’” he says. “I did a lot of research to see if there was anything like that in this area, and there was not.”
Conn eventually found community partners in Hilary Ricks and Eva Marie Marks, both current members of the Marilyn’s Place board, and both of whom were willing to help him get his idea off the ground. Marilyn’s Place was founded in July of 2018, and it’s served the Noblesville community ever since.
“People love what we’re doing – they like the fact that it’s not a resale shop,” Conn says. “We’re giving these items away to those in need. It’s just been a wonderful response.”
As colder weather nears, Conn says Marilyn’s Place is specifically in need of coats, sweatshirts, socks, men’s clothes, boy’s clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, donations must be made on an appointment basis.
Marilyn’s Place is located at 1106 South 8th Street in Noblesville. For additional details including donation info, call 317-219-5449, email info@marilynsplaceinc.org, and visit marilynsplaceinc.org.
