Susannah Lance stepped onto Manchester’s streets with little more than hopes and dreams. Having experienced what it was like to live with almost nothing, she knew she wanted to give back to the community in a meaningful way. Then, something miraculous happened. Just four years ago, while standing in her garage, she believed she heard a voice as clear as day say, “Open your garage.” That moment changed everything.
On any given Saturday morning, the garage behind Lance’s house illuminates the neighborhood. Volunteers arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. to set up for what has become a regular community event in Manchester: God’s Garage. Laughter and conversation abound, and the scraping of tarps as women of all ages pull items from the garage and neatly display them for anyone in need. Many volunteers joyfully hang clothes on makeshift racks, and others fold clothes and store donations, offering wisdom and humor to anyone who will listen.
By the time 10 a.m. hits, there’s already a line of people waiting outside, eager to see what treasures await inside God’s Garage. Lance and the volunteers begin packing things away at 3 p.m. Even then, Lance and her team are constantly thinking ahead, wondering what new donations will arrive and how they can continue to serve the community.
When Lance received divine confirmation, she wasn’t entirely sure what it meant, but within weeks, her garage became a center for charitable donations. One of the things that makes God’s Garage special is the melting pot of people who come together to make it happen. Donors from all over bring clothing, furniture, hygiene products, and even kitchen sinks.
A local retail associate supplies them with hangers, while others contribute household goods, canned food, and even car parts. Some Saturdays, the carport transforms into a lunchroom and permeates with the comforting aroma of homemade soup made by a volunteer who enjoys cooking for the events.
Aside from the hustle, there’s always a sense of togetherness, affirmed with a quick prayer before they open the garage to the public. Lance spoke with passion about the deeper meaning behind her work.
“I love my God a lot, and I know for a fact He put me in this house for a reason,” she said.
Her home, secured through the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program, sits within city limits, even though it technically wasn’t supposed to be. This was, once again, the divine intervention Lance said she needed.
“I believe God made sure I got this house so I could use it for His purpose.”
God’s Garage is now in its fourth year and wouldn’t be possible without community support. From the women who arrive early every Saturday to the donors who drop off bags of items throughout the week, it’s clear that this initiative has improved lives and brought people together.
The garage also has a multilingual element, thanks to one of Lance’s volunteers, Wendy, who speaks Spanish. With a growing number of Spanish-speaking individuals visiting the garage, Wendy’s ability to translate has become an added, inclusive bonus.
“She’s a blessing,” Lance said, smiling. “We’ve had people come in who speak only Spanish, and she helps explain that everything here is free.”
Even as she manages God’s Garage, Lance faces her own personal battles. She currently lives with two heart problems and often pushes through physical discomfort to make sure that the garage remains a ray of hope for others. The ultimate reward for Lance is the intangible impact it makes on people’s lives.
“I love seeing the joy on someone’s face when they find exactly what they’ve been looking for,” she said.
One time, a woman told her she needed a toaster, and just two days later, someone donated one to the garage, and Lance was able to give it to her.
It’s these moments of connection that drive Lance to continue her work despite the challenges. God’s Garage has transformed not only the lives of those it serves but also Lance’s own.
“If this lasts another 20 years, I’ll thank God for it. And if it doesn’t, I’ll still thank Him for the time I had with all the wonderful people I’ve met.” GN
