It is that time of year when families begin to think about “back to school”! For many local
families the approach of the school year brings the challenge of how to pay for clothing, shoes,
and school supplies. Two clothing closets in our downtown churches provide free clothing to
anyone who visits their ministry, and they are both in need of clothing, especially for boys.
The Children’s Closet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has a need for boys’ sizes 4T to
size 8-10. Donations of gently used boys’ clothing can be dropped off at the church from 9-4
on Monday through Thursday. Should you know of someone needing children’s clothing, invite
them to visit St. Luke’s on Thursdays from 10:00-1:00 or call 269.345.8553 ext. 10,
to make an appointment.
The Clothing Closet at Trinity Lutheran is need of boys’ sizes 5T and up. Their closet is open
on Tuesdays from 10- 2, except for the last Tuesday of the month. Clothing can be dropped off
at the church from 9-3 Monday through Thursday.
An increasing number of families are being referred to Partners in Housing Transition, which
is also a ministry of St. Luke’s. Families are referred to Partners by a caseworker from one of 19
agencies, and these families need nearly everything as they prepare to move into stable housing.
Thus far this year, Partners has worked to furnish nearly as many housing units as they did in
all of 2023. Partners is in great need of household items, such as dishes, pots and pans, furniture,
bedding, and beds. Contact partners@stlukeskalamazoo.org with questions, or to arrange the
pickup or the drop-off of items.