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Clothes closet expands hours

Waterford church’s project started as community giveaway

Sheri Neill, 59, and Carol Stollar, 69, both of Waterford, hang clothes at the Waterford Church of the Nazarene in preparation for Thursday’s free closet from 9 to 11 a.m. JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times

WATERFORD– Off the beaten path on Marquis Avenue in Waterford lies not only the fellowship of the Waterford Church of the Nazarene, but also a bi-weekly free clothing closet open to the community.

“For three years this has been run as a free clothing giveaway on three to four Saturdays a year, with a luncheon,” said Sheri Neill, 59, of Waterford. “But in December we decided to test out if opening up the closet every other week would help more people.”

Now the closet’s legacy, begun by church patrons Kathy Ross and Kim Hopkins, has expanded to the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The closet at the church is open to those of all ages in need of quality clothing at no cost.

“One time we had a lady drop off a whole bag of clothing that still had all the tags on it,” said Carol Stollar, 69, of Waterford. “And if something happens like a house catches on fire someone could just call the church and we’d be happy to help.”

The church closet accepts donations not only from its patrons, but the entire area.

“People can drop off donations during church on Sundays, during our closet hours on the Thursdays we’re open or during the men’s bible study at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays,” explained Neill.

Clothing ranges from infant to adult, and even includes shoes and winter coats. The closet also has a room for trying on the donated styles.

“We just ask that when people donate, that they bring in clothes already cleaned,” said Neill. “We can always use children’s clothes and we don’t have many plus-sized options at the moment.”

The closet has even seen a wedding dress pass through its doors.

“That ended up fitting a girl so perfectly,” said Neill. “She looked so pretty I cried.”

The quarterly luncheons will still take place, but in the time until the next one in May, coordinators for the closet hope that more locals will take the opportunity to stop by.

“It’s a great job that doesn’t pay in money but in blessings,” said Stollar. “Sometimes it’s a clothing exchange for families with growing kids or for new parents who may not have a lot of money to buy their baby hats and clothes.”

The next open closet day will take place Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church, located at 111 Marquis Ave., Waterford.

At a glance

¯ What: Free Clothing Closet.

¯ When: Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

¯ Where: 111 Marquis Ave., Waterford.

¯ Cost: Free.

Source: Sheri Neill.

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