Be Remarkable: Sarah Barnes is helping her neighbors with a giving table

“It’s always great to see people out here.. benefiting from generosity like hers.”
“It’s always great to see people out here.. benefiting from generosity like hers.”
Published: Feb. 19, 2024 at 8:27 PM CST

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A Bryan woman is using the front yard of her home on Esther Boulevard to help out her neighbors and her community.

Sarah Barnes has several plastic tables that are positioned alongside the curb and on the tables are clothing, food, household items, toiletries, and anything else that’s been donated. Anyone who needs those items is welcome to come by and take them for free.

“I think I’m more blessed, honestly than even the people that come through here. I mean, it’s incredible meeting people and seeing their needs are being met,” said Sarah Barnes.

Sarah says the biggest need she sees is food and household items.

She started this project back during the pandemic when she saw a need across the community.

“We were hearing about a lot of people living in their cars, losing jobs due to death in their family or sickness. And I realized I had a lot more things than I needed. So I took a table, threw it in the front yard, and started putting it out there and just said ‘free for anyone who needs it,’” said Barnes.

Sarah’s got a soft spot in her heart for those who struggle. Two years ago, she lost her son, who was homeless and had an addiction.

“He is one of the reasons I do this because there are so many people that are homeless. They’re no longer able to reach out to their family because they’ve burned some bridges or they don’t have anyone to help them, and if I can do one little thing for them, that’s a big thing,” said Barnes.

The desire she has to help others comes from deep inside, something her neighbors took notice of.

“It’s always great to see people out here just taking what they need and benefiting from generosity like hers,” said neighbor Lael Brush, who nominated Sarah for the Be Remarkable award.

The “Be Remarkable” award is a joint initiative between KBTX-TV and Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers.

If you have someone you want to nominate for our Be Remarkable campaign click here!