Combining their love of fashion and a desire to help others, two Chester County women - Jennifer Burke and Anne Meads - have created Two Tunics - A Giving Boutique, a nonprofit organization that provides free clothing to women and girls in need.

The charity, which started in the fall of 2019, is based on a quote from Luke 3:11, which reads, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Burke, president, and Meads, vice president, are both graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and coincidentally met while attending the same church. "It was random for us to find each other," said Burke. "We both love fashion and clothes and wanted to serve the Lord with what we know. We started looking around for places to help out and be a service."

As part of the ministry, they gather donations of clothing, shoes and accessories and distribute them in partnership with local agencies, including Chester County Women's Services in Coatesville; the Maternal and Child Health Consortium in West Chester; YoungLives Chester County, a ministry for teen and young mothers; and Genesis Women's Clinic, with locations in Pottstown and Phoenixville.

On two separate occasions during Girl's Night at The Parkesburg POINT Youth Center, Two Tunics hosted a pop-up shop, where the girls and their families were able to choose free clothing and accessories.

Most recently, Two Tunics donated 80 prom dresses - many of them new with tags - to Anchored Ministries in Elverson. The dresses will be distributed free of charge in March to girls who attend Twin Valley High School.

"On Thursdays at noon, Coatesville Bible Fellowship does a Bible study and parenting class, and women from the Coatesville CYWA (Community Youth and Women's Alliance) go to that class," Burke noted. "I bring a couple bins of clothing for them to choose from. The women come and have their class and they take a few items each, and then the next week I bring some more. It's a fun thing for them to brighten up their day."

Community members who would like to donate clothing are asked to contact Two Tunics in advance. In addition, specific needs are listed on the organization's Facebook page. Monetary donations will be used to help fund the cost of renting a larger space to store the clothing.

"We currently serve women and girls age 8 and up because of our limited space," said Meads. "But we have and will work to fulfill needs for anyone through our donation page. We hope to grow, expand our space and continue to serve our community."

Both women, who are mothers of young children, are pleased with how the ministry has taken off since its founding. "We are happy with what we are doing but definitely want to do more," said Meads.

"People have been so generous (with donations), and we are so thankful," said Burke, adding, "The Lord has been in it every step of the way."

For more information about Two Tunics - A Giving Boutique, visit http://www.facebook.com/TwoTunicsBoutique or http://www.TwoTunicsBoutique.org or email twotunicsboutique@gmail.com.