A 105-year-old Long Branch church has been proudly outfitting many needy residents and newcomer families for free for more than three decades.
Every Friday morning a large room in the basement of the Long Branch Baptist Church is turned into a clothing outlet where new or gently used clothing, toys, or household items and necessities are available for free to those who live in the community.
Most residents in need know the Long Branch church is a place to go for clothing, or services to cater to their needs.
It is a freezing Friday morning and already a line of people form inside the lobby of the 3381 Lake Shore Blvd. W. church
A group of people sit on a staircase waiting for the outlet to open at 9 a.m. It closes at 11 a.m.
Downstairs Olga Shevchenko, an outreach director of the church, and a group of volunteers await the first eight or nine people. They can get up to 100 people or more looking for items during the two hours.
“Sometimes it gets really packed in here,” Olga says. “That’s why we only let in eight or nine people at a time.”
The clothing outlet has been in existence for about 32-years and is popular in the community.
Olga says many of their clients are from the area but others arrive from Brampton, Mississauga and other areas.
“Many of the people who we see are newcomers to Canada or those facing difficulties in their lives,” Olga explains. “They are from all over and speak different languages.”
People can arrange to leave their new or gently used clothing or other items at the church, by ringing a bell on the door. Dozens of volunteers will sort and place the items on shelves or racks.
“We can always use more mens’ clothing, gloves, boots, socks or underwear,” Olga says. “There is always a shortage of items for men.”
The outlet also accepts dishes, pots, blankets, children’s items and toys, pillows, other household goods and there are a demand for strollers. They do not accept furniture due to a lack of space.
The users are allowed to take home with them a large garbage bag filled with clothing and other items.
“Some people do need everything,” she says. “There is a big demand for the clothes and other items from those in need in the community.”