Monroe church revives its community service mission
Published 12:01 am Saturday, May 21, 2011
MONROE — Two young mothers at Monroe Vineyard Church started a clothing bank about eight years ago to share children’s clothing.
Donations started coming in so fast that it grew into a place where people from the community could come to update their wardrobe for free.
It was first called Hope Chest, then HANDS. Now the church has relaunched the store as Valley Clothing.
“We are trying to find an identity that fits what our mission is,” said Francesca Mesneak.
Mesneak and her husband, Mike, are senior pastors at the church, which is part of the national Vineyard movement.
The church also has taken a new name — Tapestry, and its 120 members are excited to start a new chapter. Their community service projects include providing Thanksgiving baskets for families in low-income apartments in town.
The clothing store first served about 25 families each month, then more. Volunteers have struggled to handle the growing need of the past couple of years. Donations were getting low last year and the church decided to close the store for the winter. But people still came, and the store opened its doors for emergencies. The need was still there.
“We had to really pull together as a church and think about how we can keep this thing afloat,” Mesneak said.
They managed: Volunteers have refurbished the double-wide mobile home outside the church to give the store a makeover. Valley Clothing will be open for a few hours every first and third Wednesday of the month.
Customers need to register one time and can shop whenever they like for their families. There are no prerequisites to qualify and no need to prove low income. Just come if you need a new shirt or a pair of shoes.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com
How to help
Valley Clothing provides free clothes. The store is open 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at 17146 Beaton Road SE, Monroe. Donations are accepted. For more info, call the Tapestry church at 360-794-7749.
