Church ministry holds clothing giveaway for community
The church worked tirelessly to collect gently used items for the clothing giveaway at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
The Missionary Ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church held a summer clothing giveaway this past weekend. The giveaway included gently used clothing for men, women and children.
Along with clothing, the ministry also gave away shoes, handbags, children’s toys and household items. Emmanuel’s Laymen League Department served free hot dogs, drinks and homemade ice cream during the event.
“We were having a missionary meeting one day and the idea just came up through my spirit that we need to reach out and bless those that may not be able to be as blessed as we are,” said Associate Minister Rev. Beatrice Morrison about how the idea for the giveaway came about.
“We know with the times we are in now, one of the things we need to do is feed the hungry and clothe the naked, so that is how all of this got started,” she continued.
Morrison stated that one of the main goals of Emmanuel Baptist is missionary work. She says everyone in the church is a missionary due to senior pastor the Rev. Dr. John Mendez leading by example with his missionary works all over the country.
“Our motto is, we are a church in the heart of the community and a community in the heart of people, so that’s why we are doing what we are doing today,” said Morrison.
Peaches Evans, first vice president of the Missionary Ministry, says they did not expect such a great response with all of the donated items for the giveaway.
“We just want to bless the community and bless the city,” Evans said. “People can come do some school shopping, pick up some toys or even grab some books.”
Evans says this is the second largest event that the ministry has taken part in this year. Back in April the church coordinated relief efforts for the victims of the tornado that hit the eastern portion of Greensboro.
Morrison and Evans say they were very thankful for all of the time given by all of those involved with the giveaway. They feel it would not have come together as well if not for everyone’s tireless efforts along the way.
“We look like a thrift store but we aren’t charging a dime,” said Evans of the giveaway setup. “We have been out all week sorting the clothes and setting up racks. It took a lot of hard labor but everyone here is a missionary. We just want everyone to know that it’s good to pay it forward.”
“I feel better when I am out here giving to the community than when I am working my job getting paid,” she continued.
