Clothing Considerations
The congregation of New Beginnings Free Methodist Church on Center Avenue gave the shirts off their backs Saturday morning.
"We take donations year round. This is probably the third time we've done this," said Joy Vertermao, a volunteer at the church clothing giveaway. "We do it about every eight months or whenever we run out of room."
Aside from the complimentary doughnuts and coffee, the church basement was a cross between a garage sale and a clothing store. Piles of clothes for adults, children and babies — ranging from capri pants to winter coats — sat underneath racks of neatly hung polo shirts and dresses.
"We get a lot of brand names: Aeropostale, American Eagle, Calvin Klein. People have been very generous," Vertermao said.
When the doors to the church opened at 9 a.m., several people were already waiting to grab the picks of the day.
Jennifer Dekker of Summit Township has a sister in Kittanning who lost most of her belongings in a mobile home fire.
"It's nice because you can take whatever you need," Dekker said. "(My sister's) kids lost a lot of their clothes, and this will hold them over until she gets a few paychecks to replace them."
Dekker ended up leaving with two garbage bags full of clothing.
Rose Stephenson and several other members of New Beginnings' prayer group helped guests find what they were seeking and straightened out clothes as they walked the narrow aisles between goods.
"I suppose we're like sales people," said Stephenson. "But all we're really selling is Jesus. These giveaways are available for anyone who needs them, no questions asked."
Stephenson said clothes that were not taken will be donated to the Salvation Army or another charity.
But items that didn't last included baby and toddler clothes. Many of the church's visitors went straight for that pile."I was here last fall when New Beginnings had its giveaway," said Carol Durbin of Herman. "This is a wonderful way to help people in the community. My niece is having a baby and I'm hoping to find something here for her."Pastor Matt Perkins, who grew up in the church and was assigned as its pastor four years ago, said the clothing giveaway is just one of its programs. New Beginnings also offers vacation Bible school and an annual church picnic and has formed a praise band that is gearing up for a fall concert."Our goal is not just to help people in the church, but to benefit all people in the community," Perkins said. "You don't have to be overseas to be a missionary."One beneficiary was Raymond Castora, 22, of Vandergrift, who discovered bowling shoes in his size while browsing for relics from the 1970s to wear to a party."Not what I was looking for," said Castora. "But why pass up a good deal? I was obviously meant to have these shoes."
