Preschoolers Donate Items To Nearby Community Closet
By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — First United Methodist Church’s Community Closet is getting a helping hand from Presby Preschool students this week.
Approximately 120 children who attend Presby Preschool through the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church took donations to FUMC Wednesday morning, Dec. 1, for FMUC’s Community Closet, a program that provides items such as toiletries and cleaning supplies for those struggling to make ends meet.
During the month of November, children from Presby Preschool brought in items such as hand soap, laundry detergent, deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo.
According to Jeff Peck, Ph.D., Presby Preschool director at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, at last count, the children had brought in over 530 individual items to donate.
“Our Bible theme for November has been ‘Thank you, God.’ This project has been a way for the children to actually express their gratitude to God by being generous to others,” Peck said.
The Community Closet program was started 11 years ago, according to program organizer Krystal Smith.
“The items we supply to clients are things that food stamps do not cover. Food stamps don’t cover laundry detergent, dish soap or any of the bare necessity stuff. That’s where we come in,” Smith said. “We wanted to make it a mission and focus to help the community out. With COVID, we are now doing drive-thru only. We assist 88 families, which is about 300 individuals. Our numbers are still climbing, so there is a need.”
No sign-up is necessary. Anyone in need may come to FUMC on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., although Smith said they will be closed the weeks of Christmas and New Years.
Those who stop by on Wednesdays will also received a boxed lunch through the drive-thru. Boxed lunches are provided for up to five people per family.
“Sometimes it’s a hot meal, sometimes it’s a sandwich,” Smith said. “It just depends on what organization is preparing the lunch that day.”
Each week, those who come to the drive-thru will receive toilet paper and a bar of soap. In addition, Smith selects two other items to include, such as laundry detergent and dish soap.
Another 90 children will be taking donations to FMUC Wednesday afternoon and 22 children will be participating on Thursday, Dec. 2.