A clothes closet operated by members of Cherry Log Christian Church (CLCC) will soon be open an extra day each week so that more folks who need its services can take advantage.
Currently, The Clothes Closet is open to the public just one day a week, on Thursdays, from noon-3 p.m. Starting April 6, it will also be open Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
“We are very excited about our Saturday grand opening. (We hope this will help) people who work and can’t come during the week,” said Jane Murray, clothes closet manager. “Even working families can use a little help these days. We know there are people who work and could use some help, but that just doesn’t happen when we’re only open on Thursdays.”
The Clothes Closet is located in a little white house at 1089 Cherry Log Street. It’s next to the church, just down the street from The Pink Pig, and “clothes for the whole family, as well as shoes, underwear, purses and a few kitchen items” are among what’s offered there, Murray said.
The Clothes Closet is among several church programs started years ago by CLCC’s founding minister, the late Dr. Fred Craddock, to serve different needs in the community, she added.
“The idea was to give gently used clothing away rather than sell it,” Murray said. “We have grown over the years and moved twice.”
People don’t have to be destitute before they can come to The Clothes Closet, and it doesn’t have to be a one-time visit, Murray noted. Anyone who needs to can shop there once a month.
“We allow six to 10 shoppers in at a time, not counting children, and they can shop for 20 minutes. We do this because the closet is not a huge space and not allowing everyone in at once makes their shopping experience more pleasant. They are given a clean, kitchen trash bag and are allowed to fill that bag with whatever they choose.”
The clothing is provided by church members, several of whom also act as a volunteer staff. There are currently 33 active volunteers who help keep the outreach project going. Some of the local thrift stores don’t accept as much clothing as they once did, which has added to the CLCC ministry’s inventory, Murray noted.
“We receive a lot of wonderful donations. Sometimes there’s so many we can’t keep up, but we never have enough children’s clothes and toys,” she added. “There’s also a little playroom for children, and they’re allowed to take a toy if they find something they like. Outside, we have a little library with children’s books and a food box just like the little library. Folks are also allowed to take or bring food to the food box.”