Newfield Community Clothing Closet opens Saturday

On Feb. 19, the People’s Baptist Church of Newfield will celebrate the grand opening of its new Community Clothing Closet located within the church. The closet will be open on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. and the third Saturday of each month from noon to 6 p.m. at 364 Main St.

“We can also set up appointments for people in need if they can’t come on those dates or times,” Pastor Bryan Krick said. “All they have to do is call the church number, and arrangements can be made.”

The church has offered pop-up style events in the past to anyone in need of clothing and shoes free of charge in the Newfield community and surrounding areas.

“We have held events prior to this permanent location opening,” Krick said. “We have had large giveaways every season. Depending on the weather, it’s like a free yard sale event outside where people can come and just take whatever they need. We had a large, yard-sale-type giveaway in August that was a huge success.”

Krick notes that although the previous events have offered household items, knickknacks and various small appliances, the Community Clothing Closet will focus primarily on clothing, shoes and some accessories.

“We still get donations of things outside of clothing and shoes, but those will be offered at our yard sale style events,” Krick explained.

Previously, the church had clothing and shoes set up periodically in the church gym for people to come and select what they needed.

“The church members who ran these events and worked at them would have to take everything out, sort them, unfold them, hang them and display them in the gym,” Krick said. “It became daunting as after the event, we would need to reorganize everything, break it all down and then put it all away again so we could use the gym.”

When entering the Community Clothing Closet within the church, you’re in the main room that features women’s and girls’ clothing. To the left is a smaller room featuring men’s, boys’ and children’s clothing. Through a doorway on the right, a small room features babies’ and toddlers’ clothing.

“We have everything organized by size, style and season,” Krick said. “Right before the entrance to the main room, there are hanging racks in the hallway with jackets and coats. Due to it being winter, those seem to be what people are needing the most right now.”

Donations are accepted at any time. They can be dropped off at the church and will be sorted and categorized and then offered within their designated spot in the new space.

“Although we have a lot of church members who volunteer at the Community Clothing Closet and our giveaway events, I would say the unofficial head of it is our church member, Shanine Turner,” Krick said. “She has become recognized as the go-to person for coordinating and for specific requests for items. Sometimes, people will call up and ask for her directly when requesting specific things they desperately need.”

The church’s goal with the permanent location is to provide for as many people in need as possible. There are no specific requirements to come and get items. You can be a resident of any city or county, and no ID is required.

“We’re doing this to share God’s love and to show others that God loves them,” Krick said. “We have the ability to give back to the community and show God’s love in this way.”

In addition to the clothing outreach, the Baptist Church also features a blue cabinet food box in front of the church at the entrance by the driveway.

“We have put up the cabinet so anyone struggling with getting food can come and take whatever they want out of it,” Krick said. “It’s out there and open to anybody. It doesn’t matter the individual’s circumstances; all are welcome to take what they need.”

The food cabinet is also open for donations. All that is asked of people donating is that the items left are suitable to endure the weather conditions.

“Certain items will expand, explode or be ruined when the temperatures drop past a certain point,” Krick said. “We ask people to keep that in mind when leaving things during the winter months.”

The People’s Baptist Church will also be contributing to the Newfield Old Home Days celebration in July.

“In the past, the church has provided inflatables for the kids, balloons and games for the annual Old Home Days Celebration,” Krick said. “With financial hardships continuing into the new year and resources being stretched thin, we will be doing it again this year. It’s just another way the church can give back and show God’s love to people.”

The Community Clothing Closet days and hours will expand as time goes on and scheduling permits.

“Right now, we are figuring out scheduling as the Community Clothing Closet is staffed solely by volunteers,” Krick said. “The more need we see, the more we will expand on the closet and the hours offered for it. Right now, we are just pleased to have the ability to demonstrate God’s love in this way and give back to people in need.”

Information and updates can be found on the church’s website at pbcnewfield.com.

Newfield Notes appear every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Events at the library

On Feb. 17, join the Newfield Public Library for Bird Bingo from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 198 Main St. Stop by the library between now and then to pick up your Bird Bingo cards. Then, take a look around your house for things you can use as bingo chips, such as pennies or buttons, but anything that will cover up the squares on the card will work. (You won’t want to use a marker because we’ll be playing several rounds with different bingo patterns.)

And yes, there are prizes! For more information, visit newfieldpubliclibrary.org/bird-bingo-february-17.

Also at the library, on Feb. 23, children ages 5 and up are invited to “take over” the library from noon to 3 p.m. There will be pizza for lunch, crafts and games, and participants will watch the movie “Kung Fu Panda.” This event is limited to 20 children, so register soon at newfieldpubliclibrary.org/library-takeover-february-23/.

Newfield Lions dinner

The Newfield Lions Club is holding a pork loin dinner (takeout only) Feb. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Newfield Fire Hall, 77 Main St. Come support a great organization and have a delicious meal!