The Mustard Seed

We help people rebuild their lives and make a house a home.

The Mustard Seed started the way a lot of nonprofits do — one person saw a problem, and knew they had to do something to solve it.

In 1984, homelessness was becoming an epidemic in the Central Florida community. And it was, as it is today, a complicated issue. People wanted to diagnose it, cast judgment, politicize it. But Carol Kane didn’t see it that way. She simply saw that some of God’s children were suffering. And she wanted to help.

Carol started out of her garage, collecting household items and giving them away to people who needed them. Today, The Mustard Seed is delivering on Carol’s vision in exponential fashion. Operations have grown from a garage to a 20,000-square-foot warehouse. More important than the size of the warehouse, though, is the size of the impact.

The only furniture and clothing bank in Central Florida.

warehouse of furnitureThe Mustard Seed serves 3,000 people each year — individuals and families whose lives have been torn apart by personal tragedy, natural disaster and financial hardship.

We collect donations of furniture, appliances, household items, linens, dishes, toys, home decor and anything that makes a house a comfortable home. Then, we provide these items to people who need them.

97% of the people we serve are dealing with severe economic hardship. The other 3 percent are disaster victims whose circumstances left them without the financial resources to create stable futures.

As they build back their lives, The Mustard Seed becomes their final stop. Here, they’ll pick up everything they need for the fresh start they deserve.

Creating a more sustainable community.

In addition to providing items for reuse, The Mustard Seed recycles unusable items for their individual parts: metals, cardboard, sheet plastics, fabric, foam and wood.

Since 2011, The Mustard Seed’s Recycling Department has deconstructed more than 160,000 mattresses and sold their components, diverting nearly 4 million cubic feet of waste from the landfill while protecting the environment. The Mustard Seed’s recycling efforts also generate income to help fund the furniture and clothing programs.

30

Families
served per week

500

Pieces of Furniture
provided weekly

91%

Of Families Served
earn below the federal proverty level

The Mustard Seed’s 20,000 square-foot warehouse was built in 1999 entirely by the hearts, hands, and generosity of its caring community partners. The Mustard Seed is so grateful for their kindness and generosity.

In the fall of 2005, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation gifted The Mustard Seed with a wonderful sign for the warehouse to make it more visible from Keller Road and Kennedy Boulevard.

A Reunion for Natasha

“It’s never too hard…it’s never too late to get over something holding you back.” Natasha, a mother to 7 children ranging in age from 2-13 years old, has overcome huge hurdles to get custody of her children back. Natasha and her children were forced to move to Orlando last year after a fir…

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Beds for Keona and her Children

“I finally got an apartment for me and my kids. We’ve been on the floor since we got approved, and I’m hoping to get them off the floor.” For Keona and her children, visiting The Mustard Seed was a step toward stability for her and her children. After fleeing domestic violenc…

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A Washer for Denieshia

When you support The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, you help families like Deniesha’s. “Seven years ago, my nieces and nephews were put in the foster care system. I adopted the older two, and am in the process of adopting the younger two.” Denieshia stepped up to support her niec…

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Latest News

Interview with a Board Member: Stephanie Philips

May 8, 2025

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida is grateful for the commitment of our dedicated board members. Stephanie Philips is Executive Director for Patient Safety at AdventHealth in Central Florida, leading and supporting efforts to ensure patient and workforce safety. A nurse for 30+ years, Stephanie is… read more

Throwback to Chairs for Charity and Raise the Table’s of the Past!

March 19, 2025

We are just six weeks away from our upcoming fundraiser, Raise the Table! Raise the Table is an exciting night of dinner and dancing to support the mission of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida to help rebuild the lives of families and individuals emerging from crisis. Let’s “throwback” to some of … read more