Food & Raiment Day this Saturday at Central

At Central Church of Christ?s clothing recycling center, organizers hope local citizens whose closets are stuffed with outgrown, outmoded coats will share those blessings with their less-fortunate neighbors this week.

In preparation for the annual Food & Raiment Day this Saturday, Central will be receiving clothing and footwear donations tomorrow, Nov. 30, from 10 to 11 a.m. at their annex building, the remodeled Badger Arcade on Morford Street, just east of the auditorium building.

?There is always a big demand for coats for all ages, especially warm jackets and rainwear,? said Becky Wilmore, one of the volunteers in the clothing recycling operation. ?We?re also in constant need of heavy work shoes for adults and athletic shoes for teenagers.?

Other high-demand items are coveralls and infantwear, she emphasized.

Church members hope to have their garment racks and shoe shelves fully stocked to meet the demands of their largest single distribution event, part of the Food & Raiment Day promotion aimed at encouraging those who need the items to show up and make their selections, all free of charge.

An added attraction is the free soup-and-sandwich lunch that will offered in the church?s fellowship hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

?A lot of people have their homes full of useful clothing, coats, boots and shoes they?ll probably never wear again,? said Marion Pistole, one of Central?s elders. ?At one time in the life cycle of those garments they were a blessing to their owners. Why not pass them along to others who have a real need for them and thereby keep the blessing alive??

Food & Raiment Day, which gets its name from a phrase from Jesus? teachings, is a long-running holiday tradition that Central offers to the community without regard to religious belief or denominational affiliation, organizers say.