By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

The Clothing Closet at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli, is packed to the brim and is inviting everyone in the community to stop by.

Located in the basement of the church, the closet provides clothing essentials that have been gently used.

A wide variety of tops, pants, dresses and coats are arranged by size on clothing racks so customers have an easier time of finding just what they need for no cost.

Clothing for children and men is also available.

“We have men’s suits and beautiful ties,” said Joyce Rice, one of the volunteers who works at the Clothing Closet. “We’re overstocked right now.”

Though clothing is the bulk of the inventory, other items are also available.

“We have curtains, curtain rods, books by the dozen, stuffed animals, lots and lots of things,” Rice said. “We even have a little shoe shop for adults and kids.”

Lately, the Clothing Closet has been experiencing a flood of donations.

“Being confined more than usual has given people more of an opportunity to comb through their closets and discard items they no longer use,” said Susan Christ, another volunteer.

“Many clothing drop boxes and thrift shops that accept these items have been closed due to the pandemic and that has increased the Clothing Closet’s inventory.”

In accepting donations, there are a few requirements.

“We ask items be clean,” Christ said. “If we feel something is not appropriate for here, we donate it to the New Tripoli Fire Company.”

With money tight and shopping opportunities limited due to COVID-19, visiting the Clothing Closet just might be a way to find a unique holiday gift or a one-of-a-kind clothing item that could be a real pick-me-up.

“We just had a girl come last month who was looking for vintage items,” Rice said. “She walked away with a beautiful vintage evening gown.”

“We have been doing this for years,” Christ said. “Lucille Snyder was in charge for a long, long time.

“We have people who come on a fairly regular basis. More people seem to be coming in on Thursday night.

“People come to shop, and everything is free, free, free.”

Because the Clothing Closet is bursting at the seams, other organizations will benefit from the bounty.

“[Lucille Snyder] connected with the Salvation Army and they are coming to pick up eight big bags,” Christ said.

“What we give them are things we think they could use.”

The Clothing Closet next will be open to the public from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 10; and 10 a.m. to noon. Dec. 12.