Crossroads Church Care Closet continues to grow
The Crossroads Church Care Closet opened its doors in November intending to be open every other month. By January, the Care Closet had expanded to be open every month.
“It’s just amazing and there’s so much need out there. It’s just a great feeling that we can help meet those needs,” said Chris Ruble, a member of Crossroads Church.
The Care Closet is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Friday and Saturday of every month at 2810 1st Ave., Perry. Everything is free, including clothes, shoes, housewares, furniture and more.
Fellow Crossroads Church member Caryl Leslie said they were overflowing with donations while stocking up for the next Care Closet opening. The closet then shifted to be open the first weekend of every month.
Ruble said they served around 150-200 in January and that number grew to around 300 in February.
“We want to thank everyone for bringing in donations,” she added.
Leslie and Ruble said members of the church and the community have also stepped up to help the Care Closet in various ways, from a nine-year-old giving away homemade scarves to a man making a permanent wooden sign and a couple volunteering to help clean up. Another brought in handmade walking sticks to give away.
“He kept coming in and saying wow, you guys are such a blessing and I said we’re only a blessing because others are blessing us. It’s a circle, we’re paying it forward,” Leslie said.
The Care Closet has received donations from Des Moines, Adel, Carroll, Rippey and more.
“We’re reaching out way beyond Perry. That’s just a great feeling,” Ruble said. “We’re so thankful that we’re able to do this and they’re helping us do it.”
Those looking to donate items can drop them off from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. Area residents can also call the church at 515-465-5478 to set up another donation time.
“I encourage people to not think about it just as clothes, a lot of people need things like glasses and silverware, pots and pans. When you’re cleaning out any cupboard or any closet, feel free to bring items down,” Leslie said.
The Care Closet is open to anyone in Perry and beyond on the first Friday and Saturday of every month. Though Leslie encourages residents to call the church if there’s a need that arises between when the closet is open as they can open it up and pull any needed items.
The Crossroads Church Care Closet joins the longtime First Christian Church Clothes Closet in helping meet the needs in the community through offering free clothes, household items and more. The First Christian Church Clothes Closet is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at 1224 Lucinda St., Perry. The Crossroads Church Care Closet will next be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 3-4.
For more information about the Crossroads Care Closet, call 515-465-5478.
This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Crossroads Church Care Closet continues to grow
