As back-to-school season gets underway and we prepare for cooler weather, it's the perfect time to restock your closet and refresh your wardrobe. Thanks to Ruhl's Church, you can do this without opening your wallet.

The church will host God's Clothing Closet on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29. Hours on Friday are by appointment at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. No appointment is needed for Saturday shopping, which will run from 8 to 11 a.m. at the church, 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim.

"Free clothing, accessories, shoes, coats, linens, housewares, games, etc., will all be available for shoppers," said Kris Gray, who organizes the event with Barb Dunmire. "Everyone is welcome to come shop for some 'new-to-you' clothes and accessories."

This is the 26th year for the event, which began after organizers shifted a church outreach to meet local needs. The church used to send clothing to a mission out of state, but it was expensive to ship the items, and organizers thought they could make a bigger impact in Manheim.

Over the years, they have tweaked the event to provide the best shopping experience for guests.

"Before we offered appointments, the event on Saturday was very crowded with enthusiastic shoppers," Gray said. "Now, since several hundred people shop on Friday, the Saturday event is not crowded, and it is quite easy to shop. And we will still have lots of quality men's and ladies' clothing available on Saturday."

God's Clothing Closet will feature something for everyone, Dunmire said, adding, "There are always a lot of ladies' clothing and accessories to give away, from gowns to sleepwear and suits to activewear. We even have a good selection of ladies' and men's 2X and larger clothing."

She noted that some items go very quickly.

"If you need children's clothing, it would be a good idea to make an appointment for Friday evening," Dunmire said. "We often run low on children's clothing by the end of the event."

Clothing comes from the community and members of the congregation.

"Some of the clothing and other items at the event are donated by Nearly Nu in Manheim when they change over their store for spring and fall," Dunmire explained.

Although the event focuses on clothing, shoppers can peruse a variety of additional items.

"There will be new and gently used Bibles and devotional books available," Gray shared. "There is a plethora of household items - dishes, utensils, glassware, lamps, craft supplies, toys, etc. - available on the porch, so you may shop for those items before you enter the building to shop for clothing."

She added that the organizers are intentional in what happens to anything that doesn't go home with shoppers.

"All items left after the event are donated to Jubilee in Manheim, so nothing goes to waste," she said.

People are invited to bring donations of nonperishable food for the Manheim Central Food Pantry when they come to God's Clothing Closet, but this is not required.

Shoppers may also bring their own bags, but bags will also be provided at the door.

Child care will be available both Friday evening and Saturday morning. To make an appointment for Friday evening, call 717-665-3757 and leave a message with a name, a phone number, a good time to call back and whether child care is needed.

"A member of our team will call you back within a day or two to make an appointment," Dunmire said. "Only a limited number of reservations are available for Friday evening, so it is best to call early."

The church will accept donations of clothing from Sunday, Aug. 23, through Aug. 28.

"Clothing can be placed in bags and left by the front door of the church," Gray said. "It is extremely helpful if you label the bag with a clue of the contents, such as 'boys size 10.'"

No smoking and no pets are permitted inside the building. Service animals are welcome if they are properly identified. The church is handicapped-accessible and air-conditioned, and there is plenty of parking in a large parking lot.

Ruhl's Church holds worship services on Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m., with Sunday school for people of all ages at 9:15 a.m. For more information on Ruhl's Church, visit http://www.ruhlschurch.org.