Our History

Beginnings in 1990

Project Timothy opened its doors on November 1, 1990, after local pastors and parish leaders realized they were all getting the same urgent calls for help with rent, food, utilities, and lodging. Rather than each congregation trying to respond on its own, they envisioned a single Christian service center where neighbors in crisis could come for coordinated assistance and compassionate listening.

Father Paul Wood, a parish priest from the Diocese of Brooklyn who came to serve the Catholic communities in Dayton and Waitsburg, was a key catalyst in turning that vision into reality. Seeing the level of need among low-income families and individuals, he began gathering local churches to collaborate on a shared ministry of mercy.

To help organize the new ministry, Father Paul invited Franciscan Brother Patrick Campbell, a former co-worker from New York, to come to Dayton. Brother Patrick helped draft the original by-laws, secure early grants, and establish the systems that still guide how Project Timothy stewards donations and serves clients today.

Founding principles

The preamble to Project Timothy’s by-laws sets out the spiritual foundation for this work. From the beginning, the ministry has been guided by four key principles:

• Christian hospitality: welcoming every person who comes to us with respect, kindness, and dignity.
• Evangelization by example: bearing witness to Christ’s love in practical ways, and, when welcome, offering gentle encouragement in the spiritual life with deep respect for each person’s background and religious tradition.
• Charity in times of crisis: offering pastoral care and short-term help with the basic necessities of life—such as housing, food, and utilities—when a household faces an emergency and resources allow.
• Supporting new responses to need: continually developing and supporting new programs as community needs change over time.

Today, Project Timothy remains a fully volunteer-run organization dedicated to these principles. Volunteers carefully follow the organization’s guidelines when providing financial assistance. Resources are always limited, but all who come are welcomed with compassion and fairness.

A home inside All Saints Thrift Store

From its earliest days, Project Timothy has shared space with a local thrift store on Main Street in Dayton. That partnership continues today at All Saints Thrift Store, where the Project Timothy office is located. Meeting clients inside the store keeps overhead low and makes it easier for people to find both financial help and low-cost clothing and household goods in one place.

Donations of gently used items to All Saints Thrift Store, along with its proceeds, help support ministries like Project Timothy. Local stories have highlighted how the thrift store and Project Timothy work hand-in-hand, with store volunteers and Project Timothy volunteers often serving side-by-side to meet needs in the community.

Partners and community support

Project Timothy began as a ministry of local Catholic parishes, but it was always meant to be ecumenical—an outreach shared by the wider Christian community. Over time, the ministry has grown into a collaborative effort supported by many churches, community organizations, and charitable foundations.

Grants and donations from partners such as the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC), Puget Sound Energy, and FEMA, and from local funds like the Dayton/Columbia County WA Fund, the Sunny Day Fund and the Gene & Mary Warren Fund. Regional foundations such as the Innovia Foundation , the Blue Mountain Community Foundation and the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Washington have helped sustain Project Timothy’s general fund and emergency assistance programs over the years. Local banks, businesses, and civic groups have also contributed through special grants and seasonal campaigns. We are truly grateful to our many supporters who have entrusted us with their generous donations in support of our mission.

To stretch these resources as far as possible, Project Timothy uses a voucher system whenever it can. Clients may receive vouchers for local grocery stores, motels, or gas stations rather than cash. The vouchers are then submitted back to Project Timothy for payment, providing accountability for both the client and the ministry.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office remains an important after-hours partner. When emergencies arise outside regular office hours, deputies can connect people in crisis with Project Timothy’s on-call volunteers and, when appropriate, provide access to vouchers for short-term assistance.

Serving neighbors today

Over the decades, Project Timothy has helped with emergency housing, rent and utility bills, food and meal vouchers, transportation assistance, and occasional prescription or other urgent needs for households facing sudden hardship in Columbia County and nearby communities. Stories from local newspapers, community foundations, and partner agencies describe clients arriving overwhelmed by a large bill or personal crisis and leaving with both practical help and renewed hope.

Christmas Basket Program

One long-running tradition is the Christmas Basket and holiday meal program, which brings together volunteers, partners, and donors each December to provide holiday food boxes for many local families. These baskets include ham, vegetables, potatoes, pie, rolls, canned foods, and maybe something extra for the children to enjoy at Christmas.

While exact numbers change from year to year, our ministry has served hundreds of families annually, underscoring both the depth of local need and the generosity of those who support this work.

Looking ahead

What began in 1990 as a small, church-based response to local hardship has grown into a trusted community ministry. Project Timothy continues to be guided by its founding principles: Christian hospitality, witness by example, charity in times of crisis, and a readiness to develop new ways of serving as needs evolve.

As long as there are neighbors facing financial emergencies in Columbia County and the surrounding area, Project Timothy will strive to live up to its name—following the apostle Paul’s exhortation to “do good, be rich in good works, and be generous and ready to share”—through the faithful service of local volunteers and the generosity of donors and community partners.

Leadership

Project Timothy is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by officers drawn from local churches and the wider community.