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God’s Closet shop day offers families gently used clothing for kids

February 15, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

If you’ve got younger people in your family you probably know the frustration of kids outgrowing their clothes before they barely break them in.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church, located on Hockley Road in Mono, has a solution that is becoming very popular with growing families.

The God’s Closet program allows people to visit their church four times each year for a special ‘Shop Day’ where clothing and other items for infants, toddlers and kids up to 16 years old are free for the taking. You are just asked to donate $1 at the door. 

It is a program that was established in the States that our community service program runs,” explained organizer Sharon Wilson. “We do it every three months and usually have people lining up. They are given 20 minutes to look around before we let in the next group. In addition to clothes we have people who donate outerwear like winter coats and boots.” 

Shop Days have become so popular that not only area residents turn out, they see people coming from as far away as Mississauga who make the trek to Hockley.

“Families say it’s very helpful,” said volunteer Jenny Makula. “People can pay a dollar and choose whatever they need. Lots of people who take clothes also bring them back later,” she explained of how clothing can be reused saving families lot of money. “We also get a shipment of pyjamas through one of our connections.”

Infant and toddler clothes are especially popular since they can outgrow their apparel quite fast.

Just because the clothes have been used before doesn’t mean you’ll find poor quality or worn out clothing available.

“We want this to be a fun experience,” Ms. Makula said. “We want people to bring in gently used clothing. If you wouldn’t be comfortable putting something on your own child it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

The program was started at the local church in August, 2017, and has been growing in popularity every since. 

The latest Shop Day was held last Sunday, February 10.

Around 170 people made a visit with families coming from Orangeville, Shelburne, Grand Valley, and as far away as Mississauga and Toronto.

While the event started at noon, the lobby seating area was already filled well ahead of the official opening.

For many it was there first time visiting and there were many repeat shoppers that returned.

The next God’s Closet Shopping Day will take place on Sunday, May 20.

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