Marlborough – Scores of local people will be warmer this winter, thanks to the Fall Clothing Giveaway hosted by St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marlborough, Nov. 9-10. Nearly 100 coats went to new homes, and literally thousands of items of gently used clothing and accessories flew off the racks, tables, and chairs where they were displayed in a store-like setting in the church’s transformed sanctuary. On Nov. 8, 41 people referred by about a dozen area social service agencies came to get the first chance to make their selections.
About 140 people, shoppers and their children, came during the public hours Nov. 10 with a line-up of 25-30 waiting outside up to 30 minutes before the 10 a.m. opening. Everyone walked out with a bag of clothing in very good condition, as well as purses, jewelry, scarves, hats, and shoes.
“We had close to 180 people come through our doors, and all left with something, a new sweater, a dress, or a warm coat for the winter months, as well as a smile,” said Martha Domke of Marlborough, who co-chaired the event with Marlea Dutt of Hudson.
“This event was only possible because of the hard work of more than 40 members of St. Stephen.” Members gave clothing, obtained donations from friends, washed, folded and displayed the clothing, posted fliers, publicized the event, transformed the sanctuary into a clothing store – and restored it after the Giveaway,” Domke added.
This was the 11th Clothing Giveaway sponsored by St. Stephen Church. Seasonal clothing is offered for free twice a year, typically in April and November. For the past few giveaways, committee members who are also members of Thrivent, a financial services company, have been able to obtain seed money through the Thrivent Action Team initiative. Along with donations, this is used to fund the Giveaway, and has included the purchase of clothing racks and storage containers, and also packages of underwear for men, women, and children, distributed at the Giveaway.
For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page.
Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org). The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton.
