What do you call several ladies who spend their Friday mornings unpacking, inspecting, and sorting through bags and bags of clothes, stacking hundreds of items neatly on tables?
Some jokingly refer to these ladies as the Closet Ladies. They are a small group of volunteers who come together at New Market First Baptist Church to give a gift of kindness. Every two weeks, the Lord’s Closet is free and open to the public.
In 2013, a family in the community lost everything in a fire, said Melinda Rhoads. At that time, now-retired minister Wallie Nichols stood in the pulpit and commented, “I wish we could do something. We don’t have anything to give.”
Rhoads stepped up and volunteered to start a free clothes closet for the community.
What is known as The Lord’s Closet began in 2013 in a 12 by 15 basement area. As donations grew, it soon had to expand its space. It now operates in the basement section of New Market First Baptist Church. Every item is free; if you give a clothing donation, what you might take is free.
The most needed items are children’s clothes, winter coats, and boots.
Rhoads said there is always a need for gently worn kid’s clothes.
“We are seeking as many kids’ coats, boots, and shoes as possible,” she said. “There is a need to help the community.”
Items, T-shirts, stained, torn, worn, without buttons, or zippers, anything inappropriate is donated to Goodwill to be recycled.
“We want clean, unstained donations,” she said. “Kids’ clothes, shoes, winter boots, gloves, and coats are needed most. Ladies’ and men’s clothing shoes are also accepted.”
A distribution of kid’s coats will be announced in mid to late October.
Please do not leave any clothing donations at the church without first contacting church personnel at 765-866-0083.
