A variety of clothing is available for patrons at the monthly clothing giveaway.

Building Community

Charred timber was all that remained after a fire destroyed several homes in a nearby townhouse complex. I thought about how it would feel to lose everything.

I visited city hall to learn how we could help those left homeless by this tragedy. On Sunday the church bulletin included everything that was needed to help. The Moline, Illinois, congregation responded generously.

I began to wonder what else we could do to help. I began researching shelters. The congregation “adopted” a mother and child from the shelter for Christmas. Christmas and birthday gifts were delivered when we learned that the child was also celebrating a birthday.

The following Christmas we sponsored a mother and three children. The violence in their home had been so bad the family had to move to another state. The congregation provided gas cards, snacks, things to amuse the children, and gifts. A card from shelter staff said the aid helped save four lives.

Our most-recent project is a clothing giveaway held the first Thursday of each month. More than 50 women and men were served in April 2009, a doubling of the first giveaway in November 2008. A mother with two children began attending church because, she said, “we enjoy it and the congregation accepted me just as I was.” A woman from Macedonia came for clothes and now helps with the giveaway.

The giveaway is now a year old and serves as many as 50 patrons each month. Through the winter months, the congregation is adding a free soup and dessert lunch for those who come in for clothing.

—Arlene Rundle reporting