At a small Church in Clarksburg, Maryland, a multi-purpose room is turned into a thrift shop for two days a week. Within the last month Cedarbrook Community Church has started its own version of Salvation Army for the local community struggling from the impact of Covid-19. Members of the community along with church members are asked, and invited to bring in gently used goods, such as clothing and furniture. But, unlike Salvation Army stores, Clarksburg Closet provides necessities to community members free of charge. “The Church isn’t in it for the money.” Cedarbrook Community Church member James Petrolle said, “There is a clear need
in the community, and the church family aims to fulfill that need. We’ve all experienced the pain of this pandemic, some more than others, and that’s where the body of Christ steps in.” Over the past decade homelessness in the area was decreasing at amazing rates of almost 28% each year, but at the end of 2019 that hope was stifled by the impact of Covid-19. Now more than ever, churches as well as outreach organizations are doing all they can to support those struggling around them.
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This is such a unique and cool opportunity. I love that this is all free, just out of the kindness of the Church community's heart. I love this most of all because it provides a cool opportunity of evangelism. When someone would walk in and wonder why it is free, it is an opportunity to share the gospel and how Jesus provided a free gift for us on the cross. Clarksburg Closet is a great example of redemptive entrepreneurship.
I think that this is a really great idea that any small church community is able to do for those in need. It really warms my heart that average folks are able to look at orgs like Salvation Army and reconstruct the process in a way that not only costs very little for them but also creates a great impact on the community and those who really need the help during these difficult times. Sometimes its the small thinks and a little thought that can make the biggest difference in peoples lives.
An excellent example of a ministry responding to areas of need arising from COVID-19.
Wow I really like this. At home, there's a church that does a monthly thing like this. My family typically donates clothes there several times a year, especially since my brothers have been growing a lot. It really helps create relationship because the community who is being served will ask Why? and that allows the churches to explain their love for God and their love for his children
Thrift shopping has become very popular, probably because I am a college student and I like clothes at cheap prices. I think it is amazing that they specifically aim to fulfill a need. That is the concept of being an entrepreneur in five words or less. Aim to fulfill a need. Then they are redemptive. That is amazing! Covid has opened up another can of worms and caused a lot of sadness in the world. It is encouraging to here that churches are willing to look at their community and help those around them and not ignoring them to look to third world countries.
I love how this church identified a need in its local area and found a way to meet people's material needs and minister to people where they are. It's also amazing that they were tracking homelessness rates in their community. This story demonstrates how keeping informed about current local issues can inform you when action is needed and where!
I'm so glad to see the local church stepping up to need needs in their community! I have always loved the idea of thrift stores, but offering these goods for free to those who really need them is such a blessing!