Photo by Jessica N. Rex Pictured here in a comfy corner of the Outpost Share and Care Store are Sharon and Billy Hughes who moved to Sugar Grove from Ireland in 1996. Recently celebrating 20 years since opening the Outpost Share and Care Store in downtown Sugar Grove, these two are the faces behind the story of a community help center that is looking to extend help a bit further with the addition of the CrossWalk Community Center next door to the thrift shop.

When Billy and Sharon Hughes moved here from Ireland 30 years ago for a pastor position at the Free Methodist Church in Sugar Grove, they found themselves reaching out beyond the church and into the community in an impactful way. They decided to open the Outpost Care and Share Store with the intention for it to be part of the community, and help fulfill the needs that would come into the church.

“We want to empower, not enable folks that are in need,” said Billy Hughes.

Now 20 years later, it has contributed greatly to the needs of the community. After retiring in 2019, the Hughes still stay busy in the church as well as with the store alongside 25 volunteers. Open five days a week, the store is for the community but they said the volunteers have also created their own community within the store as it provides a place for those that are retired whose ages range up to people in their 90s.

Taking on missions that go beyond their own community, the Outpost also contributes proceeds to other missions such as local veteran groups and to an overseas mission in Asia known as Home of Hope.

“We kind of want to be passengers in this vehicle, we don’t want to be the drivers, calling the direction. We want to be able to see what God wants to do here,” shared Hughes.

The well organized and clean store is located in the center of town and is open

Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nothing goes to waste, from unsold clothing given to homeless shelters to rags used for local industries.

Graciously accepting donations of clean, modern clothing, shoes, decor, furniture and more, this non-profit directs all of its donations to benefit those in need in the area and beyond.

Both Hughes said, “We love it. It’s no hardship, it’s great fun with a great group of volunteers. We have fun and enjoy doing it.”

Recently, with the opportunity to occupy the space next door, the Hughes are excited to begin sharing an additional place for meetings — a quiet space where practical help needs could be shared to assist residents known as the CrossWalk. A community center intended to facilitate connection, inspire conversation, and share resources among the Sugar Grove community.

The Hughes shared that they’ve had many dreams for what this space could become for the town.

“We have seen God’s hand and provision for it over the past several months. We believe that He is certainly up to something.” They encourage the community to stay tuned as this space evolves over the next year. The vision will be shared at their Open House today (Sugar Grove Sale Day) with chances to win a fun raffle basket.

Overall, the couple agreed saying, “We want to offer drop-in hours throughout the week for you to grab some free coffee or tea, offer classes and Bible studies, resources and wifi for those in need, and so much more. Mostly, we want to create a place where people want to be – where we can slow down together amidst the busyness of life and truly cross into community.”

The Outpost Share and Care Store alongside the new CrossWalk Community Center are located at 12 Main Street in Sugar Grove.

For more information visit Facebook pages for the Outpost Share and Care store as well as the Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church.