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ABOUT US

We are champions of transformation, committed to empowering individuals by providing dignity, hope, and hygiene and sharing God’s love.

“It all started with a simple bag.”

We are champions of transformation, committed to empowering individuals by providing dignity, hope, and hygiene and sharing God’s love. We believe that self-worth is the key to unlocking true potential, and we tirelessly strive to help those at risk transform into thriving members of society.

Group of diverse volunteers with boxes and a cart

Our Values

Dignity

Integrity

Trust

Reliability

Faithfulness

Empathy

Gratitude

Our History

Divine Dignity was incorporated as an Ohio nonprofit in November 2022, but the seeds for this organization go back many years earlier. We have always had a desire and a passion to help others and have come to understand that dignity and hope are critical for a person’s well-being. Hygiene is essential to a person's self-esteem and hope is essential for a person’s self-worth. Hygiene is often a largely unmet need in low-income communities. Many organizations provide food, shelter, and clothing to those in need, but hygiene is not one of the recognized needs. The lack of hygiene — soap, toothpaste, deodorant, those basics we take for granted — can mean the difference in a person’s dignity. After much prayer and discussion, our staff and board had the vision to establish a ministry to serve our neighbors in need throughout the Columbus area. We found a centrally located warehouse. We developed a strategy that focuses on working with like-minded nonprofits to distribute hygiene to their community members. We established two programs: our hygiene centers and our hygiene closets.

Divine Dignity has earned the 2026 Bronze seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations.

Woman in blue helps child with items in a bag

1000+

people helped every month.

9

Hygiene Centers Hygiene Centers in Columbus Community Centers, Vista Village and recovery centers.

20

Hygiene Closets operated in coordination with partner organizations.

5

Student Hygiene Centers in Columbus Local Schools.

Our Team

We are so blessed by amazing staff who have the heart and passion to serve with us as we help our neighbors in need. Our staff works countless hours each week, truly running our operations. They use their talents and gifts to find the best possible prices for the hygiene products that people need to offer them dignity and hope in the midst of trying times.

Terry Starr

Terry Starr

Founder & Executive Director

Lesley Tate

Lesley Tate

Operations Manager

Chris Bumpass

Chris Bumpass

Resources Manager

Becky Cunningham

Becky Cunningham

Development Director

Elizabeth Adams

Elizabeth Adams

Executive Assistant

Diane Turf

Diane Turf

Dignity 4 Kids Coordinator

Roxane Wehner

Roxane Wehner

Warehouse Manager

Sue Ellen Shoup

Sue Ellen Shoup

Hygiene Collection Coordinator

Pam Shelley

Pam Shelley

Warehouse Assistant

Bonnie Johnston

Bonnie Johnston

Warehouse Assistant

Our Board

photo of mountain at night

Mike Short

President

photo of mountain at night

Elaine Pierce

Secretary

photo of mountain at night

Matthew Nordman

Treasurer

photo of mountain at night

Nancy Gillette

Board Member

photo of mountain at night

Judd Richardson

Board Member

photo of mountain at night

Marty Igel

Board Member

photo of mountain at night

Alicia Overmyer

Board Member

photo of mountain at night

Lindsay Wylie

Board Member

Corporate Sponsors

New HOPE Church logo with outstretched orange figure
UALC logo, stylized blue 'i' with orange clock symbol
Cardinal Health logo with red bird symbol
Central Ohio Primary Care logo
Overmyer Hall Associates logo
FOURTH INTERIORS logo
The Hadler Companies logo
Orange circular logo with a black V

Our collaborations with corporate sponsors are significant to our mission to transform lives in Central Ohio, and we deeply value these relationships! Our commitment to uplifting our community members with dignity through hygiene is crucial, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide that to those who share our dedication to serving our neighbors. By working together, we can positively impact more of our neighbors and extend the reach of our mission to share dignity and hope through hygiene.

Bathroom essentials line icons: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.

Our Values

Dignity
Integrity
Trust
Reliability
Faithfulness
Empathy
Gratitude
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