God’s Closet seeks additional volunteers
Cars line up along Marshall Street in Pittsburg waiting for a chance to take home a box of free, fresh produce.
Volunteers spend time loading boxes into waiting vehicles until thousands of pounds of food have been handed out. This scene is repeated in Pittsburg twice a month and God’s Closet, the organization that handles the donations, is looking for more volunteers.
The only requirements to be a volunteer are the ability to lift about 20 pounds and wearing closed-toe shoes.
Fresh produce donations are handed out on the first and third Monday of every month beginning at 10:45 a.m. at the back door of God’s Closet, located at 127 Jefferson St. in downtown Pittsburg. The next produce donation will be on Oct. 19.
Alethea Smerdon has been running a food pantry for 15 years and God’s Closet for five years. In addition to produce, anyone can come inside and get free clothing. Nonperishable food is available inside, but is reserved for Camp County residents.
“We do it to reflect God’s love,” Ms. Smerdon said. “That’s the only reason why we do it – because God says to.”
Anyone can volunteer, but because of its nonprofit status, the organization can also accept help in the form of court-ordered community service. Calum Foldenauer was volunteering during the Oct. 5 giveaway and said he has also been a customer in the past.
“Man if you’re hungry or cold, you can get something to eat and clothes on your back down here,” he said, when asked what he would tell others about God’s Closet.
Volunteer Johnnie Larrabee can’t talk about the organization without her voice breaking and a tear rolling down her cheek.
“Knowing I can make somebody else a little happy – knowing I can take a little bit of stress off of them for a minute…I’ve been in the position that a lot of these people have been in myself,” she said. “Knowing I can do that for someone else – knowing how much it helped me here…This is the most loving place I’ve ever seen.
“People here are caring and they really just love everybody and want to help,” she added. “You walk through the door and there’s no judgment. They don’t think anything about you other than somebody needs help and we’re here to help them.”
God’s Closet is funded by six local churches and anonymous donations and an average of $3,000 is spent each month for food.
“We pay an overhead fee for the food from the East Texas Food Bank,” Ms. Smerdon said. “We try to order all healthy food – even inside. I feel like we’re really making a difference in the health of our community.”
Those wanting to receive food during the Oct. 19 donation need to line up by 11 a.m. at the west end of the baseball fields where volunteers will then release cars in waves to the downtown area so there is no traffic snarl.
“Anybody can come get fresh produce, no matter what county you live in. Our goal is to turn it fast,” Ms. Smerdon said.
Ms. Larrabee said she encourages those in need to come meet the staff and volunteers at God’s Closet.
By Tori Lyle, news@campcountynow.com -
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