Residents invited to ‘shop’ clothes pantry after benefit breakfast

SALEM -- Area residents can help Gary Davidson of Salem during a benefit breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 9 at First United Methodist Church in the fellowship hall.

Then they can help themselves to some free clothing at the same time as church members kick off a new clothing pantry for the community.

Two events, same time, same place -- all to help others in need.

Church members have been helping their fellow member, Davidson, in the months since his double lung transplant and continued hospitalization at the Cleveland Clinic, both with prayers and donations.

Fellow church member Janet Keene said the idea behind the breakfast was to get more help to cover medical expenses and special equipment he’ll need when he comes home.

“Every penny that we get will go towards helping Gary,” she said.

The 68-year-old retired delivery truck driver from Horst Meat Packing and Dunkin’ Donuts who previously worked as plant manager for the Youngstown Chemical Company developed pulmonary fibrosis, which eventually led to the need for the transplant in April. He and his wife, Kay, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at the Cleveland Clinic. Their children have provided them with grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 16.

Cecelia Hrovatic, a friend and fellow church member, shared a message from his wife that noted Gary chose the word fighter to describe his attitude in preparing for surgery and handling what has been a challenging recovery.

“We credit many prayers from many people for healing also,” she wrote.

The breakfast menu includes sausage gravy and biscuits, biscuits with butter & jam, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. The cost is by donation only.

“We’d like people to give what they can and just give generously because it’s a good cause,” Keene said.

Once they’re done eating, they can peruse the racks of clothing church members donated after clearing out their closets. If diners see something they like, they can take it, at no cost without filling out any forms or answering any questions about income eligibility.

Church member Lori Brooks, who’s serving as the pantry coordinator, said the adult Sunday School class was reading the book “Clutter Free” by Kathi Lipp and came up with the idea for the clothing pantry.

“Everybody is cleaning out their closets. We all have too much,” Keene said.

This is a way for them to give back to the community. Brooks said there aren’t any other free places that she knows of where people in need can shop for free clothing. She stressed that all donations are coming from church members. No donations are being accepted from the public.

There will be clothing for men, women and children in all sizes, colors and styles.

The event during the breakfast will be the kickoff, with the normal hours for the pantry from 10 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month in the upstairs balcony. Visitors will enter from the north parking lot.

mgreier@salemnews.net