Sean C. Morgan
Local runners and walkers are invited to raise money for Hope’s Closet Friday night in a 5K Twilight Run sponsored by Steelhead Strength and Fitness.
Hope’s Closet was established by Andee McCubbins about a year ago after she realized the local need for clothing while volunteering in the Kids Food Pak program, she said. “I feel like God really convicted me through that ministry.”
“Basically, we offer the students in the Sweet Home School District the basic necessities they need,” McCubbins said. That includes clothing, shoes and toiletries, along with vouchers for the local laundromats and any basic needs.
While delivering the Food Paks, which provide food for the weekends to students who may not get regular meals otherwise, she heard stories about how some students struggle, how they may not have shoes or pants. Teachers were trying to find shoes and other supplies for them.
Now, schools contact her if a student shows up without good shoes or pants, she said. The conselors call her.
“If I don’t have it, I’ll go buy it and take it to them,” McCubbins said.
At the Hope’s Closet back-to-school event last year, more than 600 students came through, she said. They were lined up around the high school cafeteria for socks and underwear, and Hope’s Closet ran out of both in just two hours.
Hope’s Closet held another distribution event at Christmas time, she said. During that one, each child received a ticket to be used to purchase a gift for a sibling or parent. A donor provided eight garbage sacks full of Legos and other toys, while high school cheerleaders staffed a gift-wrapping station.
McCubbins said she hopes to hold four clothing givaways each year. The most recent one was in May. The next Back to School event will be held on Aug. 17.
When she started the program, she used a room of about 10 feet by 10 feet for storage, she said, but with all the help and donations, she has since taken over her family’s two-car garage.
Cash donations may be mailed directly to Community Chapel, 42250 Ames Creek Road, with “Hope’s Closet” in the memo of the check. Gently used or new clothing may be donated Tuesday through Friday at the church.
The 5K will begin at 9 p.m. and participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight or head lamp. Suggested donation to Hope’s Closet is $5. Steelhead will provide tea and cookies after the event, and participants are encouraged to hang around and visit.
For more information on the run, call (541) 367-1904.