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.

Furniture for Maria and her Siblings

After her mother was incarcerated, Maria, age 23, took custody of her three teenage siblings. “The situation was horrible. We didn’t have anywhere to live. I just wanted a better way of life for my siblings.” Maria connected with a case manager, who was able to secure her housing, and referred…

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Beds for Erick and His Children

For Erick, single father to four children, receiving help from The Mustard Seed was a comfort. Erick explained of his circumstances, “We were all sharing one blow up bed because we couldn’t afford beds for the kids.” Three of Erick’s four children are on the autism spectrum. He shares of his…

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Furniture for Daniell and Her Children

For Daniell, single mother to four children, connecting to resources in the Central Florida community has given her the tools to rebuild her life. Finding herself homeless in June of 2021, Daniell stayed at Orlando Union Rescue Mission while taking classes with Jobs Partnership. “I graduated in th…

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Latest News

TMS Furnishes The Bradley House

May 8, 2023

Where do you turn in situations of crisis? For employees of AdventHealth, one option is The Bradley House, which is used by Team Members in need of a safe place to stay as they transition into permanent housing following loss of home, domestic violence incidents, etc. With the help of AdventHealth… read more

10 Years of Leadership: An Interview with Kathy Baldwin

March 23, 2023

The Mustard Seed is not only celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, but also has hit a special leadership milestone. Executive Director, Kathy Baldwin, has been leading The Mustard Seed for 10 years. In the following interview, Kathy shares her experience leading TMS.
Can you share a little b… read more