Community Closet at Leechburg church marks 10 years of dressing people in need

Pastor James Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg has seen the impact the church’s Community Closet has on families and individuals.

Years ago, a young girl came with her father to buy clothes. She was so taken with the project’s mission that she later returned with clothes of her own to donate.

“She wanted to hang up the clothes on her own,” Arter said.

It was one of those moments that showed Arter and longtime volunteer Kathy Munko that the church was serving its purpose. Arter said he can’t believe how fast time has flown since the church opened its Community Closet in April 2012.

“It has brought the church together,” he said.

The initiative aims to provide clothing to those in need at an affordable cost. All items are 20 cents. The closet was open twice a year until 2015, when the church transitioned to opening the third Saturday of every month.

Arter said most calls the church has received have been from organizations helping a foster child or from grandparents raising kids.

The proceeds each month are donated to a local nonprofit or organization, Munko said. The church holds a meeting in January to choose the places to receive donations. Proceeds have been given to the Leechburg Food Bank, the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, the Lower Kiski Ambulance Services and more.

“When they buy clothes, they are also giving back to the community,” Munko said.

Items are rotated to ensure everything is seasonally appropriate. Clothes are organized by size and gender. Shoes, handbags and winter essentials like gloves and hats are available to buy.

An estimated 20 volunteers come in to help sort clothes and run the closet on the Saturdays it’s open, Munko said.

“We all love what we are doing because we are helping people,” she said.

Arter said the church saw a spike in people visiting the Community Closet in November. He said 2,000 items were sold. The closet stays full because donations are always pouring in, he said. Children’s clothing and coats are the most sought items.

“We are expecting a great turnout around this time,” he said.

Donations of clean, gently used clothing, purses, shoes, coats and winter essentials can be dropped off in the basket on the church’s front porch.