Your church can conduct a one time clothing exhange or give away to help people in your church and in your community.  Many times people have closets full of clothes that are rarely worn.  Conducting a one time clothing exchange or give away is an opportunity to help people cut costs and use the money saved on other important things.  

• Finding a capable lay leader to organize and supervise the ministry should be a high priority.
• Volunteers are needed for sorting, sizing and displaying clothing items as well as assisting clients when you are open.
• Decide on the location at your church. You will need a display area for children, women’s and men’s clothing. An area within the church for the ministry should be situated so other areas of the church can be closed off for security.
• Set specific times that you will be open to the public.
• Set up a record system for recording who visits and gets clothes.
• It is best to limit the number of items that clients can get at each visit (some will take more clothing items to sell).
• A careful publicity campaign for collecting donations should be set up early and continued until a good supply of clothing starts flowing.

Bill Kibler

First Baptist Church Raleigh

919.783.8827