By Leslie Moriarty
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — Sandy Bertholf, director of the Clothes Closet, a community clothing bank, resigned Wednesday after a dispute over who was eligible to receive free clothing.
Bertholf, who had worked at the clothing bank for eight years, said she resigned because she was told she could no longer come in on weekends to sort and hang clothes with volunteers, as she had done for years.
She said without that opportunity, she didn’t want to continue as director.
Bertholf was informed of the new policy at a special meeting Wednesday of the board of directors of the Snohomish Food Bank, which shares space with the Clothes Closet.
"I was no longer going to be able to have a key to the building and come and go as I please, and that I would have to clear my schedule for being here with Gary (Maxfield, director of the food bank)," she said. "To me, that was as clear as asking me to resign."
Maxfield said he was instructed by the board to take over the clothing bank temporarily. He plans to have it open at the same time as the food bank, on Tuesdays and Fridays. Clothes will no longer be distributed on Thursdays. It was uncertain whether clothing would be distributed today.
Bad feelings between the board of the food bank and Bertholf began a few weeks ago when the board told her she could no longer give clothing to those who live outside the Snohomish School District.
Board president Sharon Ryden-Sinner said that was the board’s policy for years, and it needed to be enforced.
But Bertholf and several of the volunteers at the clothing bank said they didn’t want to stop giving clothes to longtime clients from Lynnwood and Everett, many of whom also volunteer time at the clothing bank.
The board met last week and decided to remain committed to the ruling.
Several board members, including Ryden-Sinner, were unavailable for comment Wednesday.
Bertholf said she is still thinking about finding another location for a clothing bank and starting one up under her own terms.
You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436
or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.
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