Category Archives: ECC Stories

Emergency Clothes Closet Stories

A Blessing To Serve . . .

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What a blessing it is to serve as a volunteer at The Closet (Emergency Clothes Closet at Calvary).  I am physically challenged by osteoarthritis, but I am continuously energized by the energy displayed by the intergenerational volunteers each Saturday.  In other words, the energy of the young and the not so young is contagious.  The commitments, patience, caring and understanding nature of the volunteers are awesome.  I am sure that it makes our Father proud.  I work in the closet downstairs filling client orders that the shoppers bring down.  The shoppers are eager to please the clients, sometimes making multiple trips to the closet seeking a client’s choices of color and style with nary a frown or complaint.

I am grateful for the godly administrators of this great project and for the shift captains, volunteers, computer people, and childcare providers who work so diligently to serve others.  I feel privileged to work along side them.  “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:12 RSV.

Time Well Spent

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Everyone has needs.  The basics of food, shelter, and clothing are physical necessities for life.  But there are other realms in each person’s life that yearn for hope, desire mercy, and crave love.  So when Calvary started an outreach attempting to impact the community and the needs of its people, I was interested in being a part of it.

The Emergency Clothes Closet was a borrowed idea given new birth at Calvary.  I was amazed to see people of all ages come together to get this venture up and running.  After space had been carved out and systems were in place things could finally begin.

Initially, I helped sort clothes and stock the shelves for the coming months.  I loved the opportunity to work along side others in the church at a task that seemed to really matter.

Later, when the doors of the closet opened I was able to be a personal shopper.  Who would have known that 3 hours could go so fast?  Thankfully, wearing comfortable shoes, I would trot between the client and the closet looking for the best items I could.

I marveled at the light heartedness, yet depth of the task before us.  We were giving clothing, but ultimately we were giving Christ.  I know that sounds funny, but any time we were able to show kindness, demonstrate mercy, listen intently, pray fervently, and love our neighbor…we were giving Christ.  I once heard someone say, there is nothing I would rather do then help someone.  What greater task could we be involved in?  I can’t think of any.

One Volunteer’s experience . . .

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On  Saturday, April 3, 2010 I had the opportunity to share a life changing experience with my daughter while volunteering at The Closet.

It first began when I arrived at the Church at 9:00 a.m. and realized I didn’t have my reading glasses.  I live close to the Church so I immediately returned home to retrieve them.   My daughter initially signed up to volunteer on Saturday’s but due to the typical teenager’s sports schedule, homework load, etc. she was never able to volunteer.  This particular Saturday when I returned home she asked with enthusiasm if she could return to the church with me to volunteer at The Closet.  I thought to myself “this is strange” but didn’t entertain the thought any further.

We served several clients that morning, all of whom were grateful and appreciative.  Around mid-morning we served a couple that seemed to be a little nervous and shy.  As we shopped for them throughout the morning, they became a bit more relaxed and talkative.  I was then informed by one of the Shift Captain’s that they were homeless.

The young lady was very hesitant about trying on her new shoes and began to apologize for the odor coming from her current shoes.  I told her it was not a problem and we were happy to help.  All the while, my daughter was graciously smiling as she assisted her in trying on clothes.  You should have seen the look on her face when my daughter retrieved several pair of socks to go with her new gym shoes.  The young woman smiled and said she couldn’t believe how they had been treated.  Everyone from the greeter to the technical team made them feel welcome. She began to open up and shared with us that they were homeless. She gave examples of how they are treated at some of the places where they seek shelter or food and some of the volunteers are not kind to them at all.

It was then that I realized my prayers were being answered because I pray that our clients will see Christ in us as we serve them.

As they began to slowly pack their belongings I felt the urging from inside to ask if they were hungry ~ something I’ve never felt led to ask a client.  The young woman replied that they hadn’t eaten anything all day.  To be honest, I was trying to finish up with them so I could get home and enjoy lunch with my daughter (not to mention we had already gulped down a nice breakfast).  Besides, we HAD to get done volunteering so we could make our weekly trip to the mall.

I felt convicted saying “ok – see you later, hope you find some food somewhere”.  I thought about the verse in the Bible where it say’s – When I was hungry you fed me and just allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me from there.

I asked if they would like to meet us at Subway for lunch and they agreed.  I didn’t have a purse so we came home to get some money and then head to Subway.  When we got home, I realized the young woman asked for some foot powder and deodorant which we didn’t have at the Church.  We gathered a bag of personal items for her and you would have thought it was Christmas when she opened the bag.

As we were walking to Subway, I thought to myself how nice it would be if they could be seated and served a full course meal at a restaurant with soup, salad, etc.  When we got to Subway, the Lord had an unexpected task for us.  They had so many bags of belongings, they needed help carrying them.  I have never imagined myself walking down Lake Street literally with a homeless person NOT TO MENTION carrying their bags.  It was the best experience ever!!  We were laughing and talking like we were old friends.

We went to the restaurant and shared a booth with the homeless couple.  They shared their experience from being employed to being homeless and asked my daughter about school, sports, college plans and it was the best experience I’ve ever encountered!

After a two hour lunch we then went to Subway so they could have a sandwich for dinner.

My daughter was able to witness all of this and be a blessing to them as well, all because I simply left my glasses at home.  I don’t think any of this was a coincidence.

To God be the Glory !