Clothing Boutique
The Clothing Boutique
Regular Hours
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 am
Free Clothing and Small Household Items
Everyone Welcome.
Gently used clothing donations accepted.
TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY mornings
9:30-11:30 am
Room 12 (enter gate in south alleyway)
SUNDAYS before services
Bin in Fellowship Hall
Our History
In 2009, the idea for this lay led ministry was presented to Ad Council (now Covenant Council). With no designated space or budget, a task force began collecting gently used clothing – laundering and storing these items at their homes. Our congregation as well as our CCUM preschool, Duffy, Sewell, and Howell elementary schools participated in collecting clothing and provided information to their families through their newsletters. In the beginning, the Clothing Boutique used Fellowship Hall 2-3 times a year, filling it with tables and clothing racks loaded with clothing. 25-30 volunteers worked three days to set it up, and 200 -300 shoppers participated in shopping. Volunteers also provided and served refreshments.
Milestones
In 2010, donors rented a small metal storage container for us so we could collect items year round. Also, in November 2010, the Clothing Boutique was featured in an article in the Arizona Daily Star. Donors purchased a larger metal container in 2012 which we operated out of on a weekly basis. Also in 2012, the Clothing Boutique was recognized as one of 4 lay led ministries at the Southwest Annual Conference. Gretchen Lofgren and Sally West were the presenters. The Clothing Boutique was one of the recipients of the Conference Sock Drive in 2014 and received hundreds of pairs of socks for our shoppers. We moved into our present space in October 2014. We were now blessed with heating, cooling, and lights and can provide a pleasant and comfortable environment for our shoppers. In 2018, we were again blessed to have use of room 12 for sorting and storing items. We’ve enjoyed working with 6 youth interns and are pleased to partner with our neighbor Cerebral Palsy Foundation Workability Youth Internship Program.
Ministry Support and Impact
We continue to recognize and appreciate the congregation’s support of this ministry. With your support, 2,511 shoppers were provided clothing last year. This number only reflects the shoppers who physically visited our boutique, but many shop for other family members or friends. The number of clothing recipients is probably closer to 7,500 or more. And with your generosity, we are able to share with others. At times, we have shared with Youth on their Own, Howell Elementary School, The Inn Project, Arizona Foster Kids, TMM Family Services, and Sister José Women’s Shelter, TUSD Clothing Bank, the Pregnancy Center, and the Lion’s Eyeglasses Recycling Program. We also donate coats to Methodist churches in Safford, Duncan, and Willcox.