By Abby Shaffer
On July 22, Rummel Church of the Brethren had our fourth (fifth?) annual clothing giveaway. During the preceding week, we accepted donations of clothing and shoes from our small community. We experienced an amazing outpouring of generosity in the form of clothing for infants, children, women, and men. Many of our neighbors who brought donations told us they were thankful that they could help to bless their neighbors!
Several of our church members (and friends) spent many hours to separate, fold, and display all the items we received. On Saturday, we estimate that 100 to 150 people stopped by the church to “shop” and nobody left empty-handed. It was so busy that we were unable to get an accurate count. People filled garbage bags, one after the other, and still the piles of clothes remained!
All the items we had left were given to St. Francis Sharing and Caring Ministry and Thrift Store in Hollsopple, Pa.
Our congregation was blessed–not only by the tremendous outpouring of donations we received but by the ability we were given to assist our neighbors in need.
— Abby Shaffer is co-pastor of Rummel Church of the Brethren in Windber, Pa.
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