As Pine Grove Church prepares for its seventh clothing giveaway, Jaiden Brandt, associate pastor of ministries, reflected on the origins of the event. "This started with two mothers who attend church here," he recalled, adding that one was a mother of four and the other a mother of six. "They had a lot of clothing to pass on for reuse, and they opened the great room up and brought clothing for people to exchange."

"It grew and grew," said Brandt of the event, now called the Pine Grove Clothing Closet, which is scheduled to be held at the church, 1194 Reading Road, Bowmansville, on Friday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. Brandt reported that the church great room, plus two other rooms, will be filled with donated clothing.

"(It's not necessary) to donate," explained Brandt, who noted that the event used to be called a "clothing exchange." "People were confused," stated Brandt. "That's why we changed it to Clothing Closet last year."

During the weeks leading up to the giveaway, organizers ask for clothing for people of all ages to be dropped at the church. Specifically, clothing items that are clean, smoke-free, and sorted by size and gender are requested. Brandt noted that coats, shoes, boots, hats, scarves, and mittens are usually among the items available at the giveaway. "We have also had toys and books for kids (in the past)," he stated, adding that car seats, cribs, and other baby furniture items are not part of the giveaway. Brandt pointed out that teen and adult clothing became part of the giveaway in 2023 and that the hours were expanded to include Friday evening at that time. "We had a lot of parents and teens on Friday night last year," he said.

Brandt estimated that since the program started, organizers have "given thousands of pieces of clothing to hundreds of families to show the love of God in a tangible way." The event also seeks to introduce area residents to Pine Grove. "Last year, there was a huge need, and I think this year, it will be even greater," shared Brandt, who said that last year 160 families came through church doors to the giveaway. Nearly 100 of those were attending the event for the first time. "That represented 363 children and 289 adults," said Brandt. "That's the impact."

Any items left after the giveaway will be donated to local thrift shops and to Unto in Mount Joy.

More information may be found by searching for "Pine Grove Church Clothing Closet" on Facebook or by calling 717-445-5136.