Free clothes, food give boost to those in need

Published 10:55 pm Friday, April 17, 2009

LAKE STEVENS — Inside a warm cozy room stand racks of clothes: sweaters, dresses, pants and coats. Little square cubbies hold tiny baby things that have been cleaned, smoothed and neatly folded.

These clothes are part of the inventory at Sanctuary Ministries Community Clothes Closet, a program that provides people, no matter where they live, with free clothing year round.

“We don’t care where you come from,” said church administrative assistant and pastor’s wife Bobbie Brady.

People in the Lake Stevens area and beyond can go to the clothing bank every Thursday and take two bags of what they need. They also can trade clothing.

Most of the clothes available are used but in good condition. Sometimes the community closet has new clothes to give.

The program started 13 years ago when two church members came up with the clothing closet idea to help those in need. Clothes were originally displayed in the church foyer. But the need for clothing and the recipient list grew throughout the years and the closet now has its own modular building.

“You can really feel it this year,” Brady said.

For the first time Sanctuary Ministries advertised for winter clothing. The economy has affected the closet in that donors may be hanging on to their own clothes longer, compounded by the growing number of those in need.

At any time of the year, men’s and children’s clothes are the first to be picked through and taken. Volunteer staff gathered donations throughout winter. They are now switching from heavier clothing items to spring and summer clothes.

Sanctuary Ministries also provides shoes, maternity wear, infant clothing and diapers. Bedding for the homeless also is available.

Free food is offered to those in need living in Lake Stevens’ ZIP codes. Some of the food comes from Salt of the Earth, an organization with eight food banks throughout Snohomish County.

With 12 acres of land at the church, both Brady and her husband, lead pastor Jerry Brady, want to expand ministries to include a day care, safe house and health services. This would add to programs already in place, such as fellowship ministries, prayer groups and international missions.

“The Bible mandates churches to help the poor,” Bobbie Brady said.

Both she and her husband acknowledge that the Bible says that we are freely given, therefore we freely give. The clothing closet and food supplies are offered for free.

“Most of the people who donate tell us, ‘We just want to be able to donate and give to people. We don’t know who they are, but you do,’ ” Jerry Brady said.

Jerry Brady believes that if food donations at Sanctuary Ministries can supplement what food banks are doing then people in the community are being helped to put meals on their tables during the week.

“We care about your eternal destiny obviously. We’re a church,” Brady said. “But we also care about your physical situation now.”

Christina Harper: 425-339-3491. harper@heraldnet.com.