Free clothing for the community

  • Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Volunteer Kim Odom, on left, enjoys sorting childrens' clothes with Pam Storring, another volunteer. The Allens welcome anyone who wants to volunteer. Odom said they are such great people to volunteer with, she drives from south of Blairsville to help.
    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Volunteer Kim Odom, on left, enjoys sorting childrens' clothes with Pam Storring, another volunteer. The Allens welcome anyone who wants to volunteer. Odom said they are such great people to volunteer with, she drives from south of Blairsville to help.
  • Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Lori Allen in foreground, checks some donated clothing as Jenny Jaya hangs dresses on a rack. Jaya said this was her first time volunteering with the clothing ministry and she really enjoys it.
    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Lori Allen in foreground, checks some donated clothing as Jenny Jaya hangs dresses on a rack. Jaya said this was her first time volunteering with the clothing ministry and she really enjoys it.
    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Lori and Michael Allen moved to Clay County in 2015, and started the Community Clothing Ministry in early 2018. Even though they are volunteers, the ministry has become like a part-time job. He is a pastor, who has served as needed at several churches in Clay and Cherokee County, as well as Hiawasee. He currently pastors Bellview Church in Murphy. Lori is a degreed educator who has taught in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, primarily at Christian schools. She teaches

    Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress Lori and Michael Allen moved to Clay County in 2015, and started the Community Clothing Ministry in early 2018. Even though they are volunteers, the ministry has become like a part-time job. He is a pastor, who has served as needed at several churches in Clay and Cherokee County, as well as Hiawasee. He currently pastors Bellview Church in Murphy. Lori is a degreed educator who has taught in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, primarily at Christian schools. She teaches

    By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer Clothing happens to be a necessity of life. Yet for someone struggling to choose between groceries, rent or the power bill, new clothing can be a luxury. For this reason, Community Clothing Ministry is an answer to prayer for many. The ministry began January 2018 in Matt’s Ministry’s parking lot. Lori Allen recognized the need for clothes, so she started the effort when she and her husband, Michael Allen, lived and served at Truett Camp. “We saw a community need and with help, we could meet that need,” she explained. “Let’s face it — the world is inundated with clothes so why are we paying for them? For many people, it’s hard to get something for free. You can see the relief on their faces when they come.” That first effort eight years ago took several months of planning and collecting clothing. From there, it has become a regular event. “We have always tried to distribute four times each year with the seasons,” Allen said. “Only during COVID did we have a lapse.” The ministry has not had a permanent space, so the Allens would haul multiple trailers full of clothing bins and boxes back and forth. The clothes were washed, sorted, packed by type, gender and size until they could be displayed for the next giveaway. Last year, Oak Forest United Methodist Church offered a more permanent place to collect donations and leave clothing racks and tables set up. There will also be a new washer and dryer, which was donated by another church, installed soon. The next free clothing distribution will be from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11 in the Oak Forest UMC church basement, 990 Oak Forest Road in Hayesville. Allen said they have been blessed by so many churches, groups and individuals over the years. “Thanks to Matt’s Ministry, Truett Memorial, Ledfords Chapel Church for allowing us to set up and distribute and anyone who folded and sorted the last eight years; Chatuge Valley Samaritans and our new home at Oak Forest UMC,” she smiled. She said some local thrift stores and consignment stores donate clothes. Whatever is unusable goes to Renewed Hope for their textile recycling. On a recent Monday, the Allens and other volunteers were busy sorting donated clothes. “The biggest thing is the church has given us a sort of a home,” Lori said. That allows them to spend less time moving items from place to place and organize them in place as they sort them. “We accept clothing donations all year. It’s not seasonal at all,” Allen said. In addition to new and gently used clothes, they accept shoes, bedding, bags, hats, coats and gloves. Detergent, hangers and stain remover donations are also welcome. The organization is not non-profit status but is completely run by volunteers and more are welcome. “We have had many people volunteer to serve over the years,” she said. “Sometimes people who have received want to give back.” She said to stop by the distribution or use the contact info below. “Let us know how you want to help and we will reach out,” she added. “We like to have fun while we sort.” When asked how much time she spends working with the ministry, Lori replied, “It is a part-time position. If I’m honest, I probably work about 15 hours a week in between distributions and a 40 hour distribution week. We try to work three to four hour days, two or three days a week with volunteers two weeks before distribution.” Allen said people come from all over. “Generally, we see 100 to 125 individuals or family members during the two day distribution. Some people gather clothes for people who cannot come,” she said. “The trailer we used to haul back and forth would be 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. Sometimes it would take two trips back and forth.” She continued, “Our philosophy is if we can help meet a simple need, then that frees finances to meet another need. More importantly for us as Christians, it is an avenue to share the gospel and be the hands and feet of Jesus.” Oak Forest pastor, Tim Lee, is happy his church can help. “We are grateful to partner with Lori and Michael for this ministry. It has been very successful and lots of people have received clothing,” Lee said. “The first give-away here probably literally gave a ton of clothes to the community. It has also been a blessing to those of us at the distribution. People who come in are so nice and their kindness is a blessing to us.” Allen ended,“As long as the Lord provides the clothes, we will keep giving them away. It is more blessed to give than to receive, Acts 20:35 Community Clothing Ministry accepts donations during every distribution, which are usually posted publicly several weeks prior. Info is also given through Clay County Schools and on the Hayesville Community Facebook. The weekend before each distribution, yellow signs are placed around Clay County and at Oak Forest UMC. Lee said people who want to donate may call the church office between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to schedule a drop-off time: (828) 389-9077. Reach the Allens on Facebook Messenger at: LoriMichaelAllen. You may also text or leave a message at: (352) 238-8354.