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 Dresser for Curtis

“My house was flooded out…I lost my clothes, my carpets, my furniture. Everything.” For Curtis, who by trade drives trucks, being on dialysis the last several years has slowed down the momentum of his life. In 2019, he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. When Hurricane Ian blew thro…

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A Desk for Hela

“You never know how strong you are until you have no choice.” – Bob Marley After jumping out her window to escape domestic violence, Hela was left homeless. “To lose him, I had to lose everything. I ended up getting a tent and living in the woods for the last eight years.” Hela dreamed of …

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A Princess Bed for Harlee

Addiction. Rehab. Domestic Violence. Jail Time. Foster Care. Eviction. Homelessness. For Amanda, mother to four-year-old Harlee, this has been the last three years of her life. When Amanda, who had been struggling with addiction for years, found out she was pregnant with Harlee, she immediately bega…

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Latest News

Request for Proposal: Audited Financials/Filing

January 25, 2023

January 24, 2023

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, Inc. (“The Mustard Seed”) invites the submission of proposals for the preparation of its yearly audited financial statements and related filings for a three-year period beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.  The Mustard See… read more

Cheers to 35 Years!

January 6, 2023

Happy New Year!

2023 marks the 35th anniversary of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida! Each year, The Mustard Seed helps rebuild the lives of those who have experienced homelessness, personal tragedy, or natural disaster, by providing gently used furniture and clothing to those in need.

Wha… read more