Clothing give-away has successful 10 yrs.

CRESCO - Over 200 families were helped during this year’s 10th Annual Back to School and Family Clothing Give-Away at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Aug. 5-7.

The entire basement and classroom areas were filled with clothes, boots, shoes, winter coats, brand new socks and underwear and more thanks to the donations of many community members. The majority of the clothes are newer, clean and in good condition.

Chairman of the event, Sue Easler said the first day had 100 individuals picking up clothing. The items are sorted into sizes for boys/men and girls/women, and all the shirts are put on hangers and hung up.

Some of the donations were brand new. “A few weeks ago we sent out word that we needed boys jeans and 70 pairs were purchased and donated.”

Easler said there are about a dozen women who work hard at sorting clothes and about 6-7 men who help unbox and box the clothing. Others help out here and there or donate money or clothes.

No matter how much clothing is left over, it is still put to good use.

“We send some clothes to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. There is also a place in Rochester that takes the nicer clothes for women who need something to wear in the work force.” 

The local motels donate old sheets and towels, which are cut into strips for bandages and sent to third world countries. 

Another volunteer takes the t-shirts and cuts them to make diapers for other countries.

Other clothes are kept local and given to the elementary schools for extra clothes if needed.

When the group started this project 10 years ago, there were about 100 people who came for clothes. The past several years have seen 200-300.

Easler is very pleased each year with the number of individuals who donate items and for those who receive the donations.