Closet Ministry to host free shopping day Saturday

August is here, which means it’s almost time to head back to school. Do you have all the clothing and materials needed for a smooth start?

If not, there will be plenty of assistance available Saturday, Aug. 4., at Second Baptist Church, 1426 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster.

That’s when The Closet Ministry will host what’s become its annual back-to-school free shopping day. It’s open to anyone in need of clothing.

“Shoppers do not need to bring proof of income or anything to qualify to shop,” organizer Catherine Horton said. “Everybody is welcome and everything is free.”

At 9:30 a.m., doors open and registration begins. Shopping will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The offerings will include summer clothing for men, women, children and infants. Volunteers will set school uniforms aside for students who need them.

The emphasis, though, will be on book bags, Horton said.

“We have been collecting them for quite some time now and plan on offering each child who shops with us a free backpack,” she said. 

“Donations of backpacks are welcome from the community.”

You can drop off book bags between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. any day this week at Second Baptist Church.

The Second Harvest Food Bank, in partnership with Christian Services, will also be at the church Saturday with its mobile food pantry. The pantry is available until noon.

This will be the third Closet Ministry back-to-school shopping event in Lancaster, which organizers say draws about 1,000 shoppers each time.

Stacy Boyd, who’s volunteered with The Closet Ministry for two years, says the effort is a great benefit to the community. 

“I think we sometimes take for granted being able to run to the store to pick up something,” Boyd said. 

“Some of these people don’t have that luxury. This is a way for them to be able to get the clothing items they need without having to worry about where the money will come from.”

For more information about Saturday’s free shopping day, call (803) 320-8890 or e-mail catherine@theclosetministry.com.

You can also visit www.theclosetministry.com to learn more about The Closet Ministry.

Contact reporter Jesef Williams  at (803) 283-1152