Imagine being a mother of three young children and your husband leaves you. Or maybe a co-worker’s wife was laid off, and you’d like to help in some way but aren’t sure how. Perhaps a family in your neighborhood is struggling to pay their rent due to mounting medical bills. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a similar situation. Where can you turn for help? The Caring Closet, of course.
The Caring Closet is a WSEFC ministry designed to help those in need within our church and within the greater West Shore community. Originally started in the 1980’s to provide Cambodian church families with clothes and shoes, it later evolved into a swap meet of sorts in which WSEFC families traded clothing with each other as their children grew out of one size and into another. Today the Caring Closet serves hundreds of families each month, providing clothing, shoes and household items to anyone in need.
But the Caring Closet provides much more than clothing for the body; it provides an opportunity for Christians to cloak needy folks in Christ’s love. Each month the Closet offers free Bibles and Christian literature to new families. Attendees are also invited to the “Café” where they can enjoy a hot beverage and baked goods and talk with pastors and other volunteers who offer support and encouragement as well as new hope by presenting the Gospel. A number of people have come to know Jesus as Lord in this relaxed atmosphere.
Additionally, a Cumberland County social worker is on hand to discuss other concerns such as housing, medical coverage, mental health issues and child development and to refer them to the appropriate agencies to receive help. Program brochures, applications and other informative materials are available, and free blood pressure checks and haircuts are routinely offered as well.
The Caring Closet is on open the third Friday of each month except June/July and December/January. From 8:30-9:00 there is a time of worship and prayer and from 9:00-12:00 clothing is available. Special Closets are held in August, which focuses on back-to-school clothing and shoes for children returning to school, while the November Christmas Closet provides an opportunity for parents to select a new toy they can wrap and joyfully give to each of their children on Christmas morning.
The Caring Closet relies on volunteers for its successful outreach and always needs more people to help with everything from sorting clothes and setting up display racks to chatting with folks or providing child care so parents can shop and talk. And, of course, donations of good, wearable clothing and shoes are always needed. Contact Pastor Ian Campbellor lay leader Geneva Zeigler regarding donations and volunteer opportunities.
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16.
Why not donate those ill-fitting clothes or volunteer in some way, demonstrating Christian faith with actions as well as impacting lives.
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