Children in need will be outfitted from head to toe, if enough clothing can be gathered for the Grace United Methodist’s seventh annual back-to-school clothing giveaway.
The church is inviting the community at-large to join in the mission ministry’s project for the upcoming school year.
“Last year, we dressed 287 children from 135 families,” said church secretary Kitty Roberts. “We try to provide each child with a new or nearly new outfit, jeans, shirts, underwear and socks, a hoodie or jacket at no cost to the family.”
The garment giveaway began as a project of Pam McGuire, wife of then-pastor Mic McGuire, and worship leader Sue Barham. Within a short time, Roberts said, teachers and other members of the congregation joined in the project.
The church holds a weekly collection to bring in specific items that will be part of the outfit. Themes are designated to bring in the needed garments — “Undie Sunday” and “Sock It to Me Sunday,” for example.
Last year, members and friends of the church added “Sole Sunday” in an effort to provide shoes.
By the time the donations had been counted in 2009, the church provided athletic shoes for 236 children.
A total of 156 pairs were donated and, when those ran out, they took orders for another 80 pair at an average cost of $9 to $12 per pair.
“We were lucky enough to have Bud Utley, who donated all his proceeds from his art sales all year so that we could purchase the shoes,” Roberts said.
Shoes and other items on the list will be accepted for children from pre-school age to high school; monetary donations will be accepted as well.
Children will be able to shop for clothing and shoes on Aug. 7 at the church. No paperwork needs to be shown to prove eligibility, Roberts said, but the child must be present with an adult to be able to participate.
The fellowship hall at the church will be set up like a store, and a member of the church will be assigned as a “shopper” with each family, to help the children find what they want and assure that it will fit, as well.
Every child anticipates the first day of school and wants to have something new or different to wear when school begins, Roberts said, and that is a feeling that even older adults can remember experiencing. The goal, then, is to give each child something new to wear to school — two or three shirts, one pair of jeans, new underwear and socks, a hoodie and jacket and a pair of shoes, Roberts said, as an example of what the church hopes to accomplish.
People who want more information about donating clothing, shoes, or money may call Roberts at the church, 342-2240.
christym123 (anonymous) says...
That is awesome! Thank you Grace United Methodist Church!
July 13, 2010 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Now imagine if that Salvation Army had not hauled all that clothing off to the dump instead of giving it to those in need.
July 13, 2010 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Why did the Salvation Army take clothing to the dump?
Also, JC Penney's has sales going on where merchandise is up to 80% off. There are shirts in departments that are around $5. If you want to get new clothing to send, I would suggest going there, I'm going to go look through the kids racks and see what I can find.
July 14, 2010 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )