NEW GLASGOW – A local church’s efforts to help those in need has turned into a permanent project.
The Community Cupboard in the basement of the Munroe Avenue Baptist Church in New Glasgow will be open every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. with donated items to give away to people in need.
Harriet Jenereaux, a volunteer with project, said the church first opened the Community Cupboard in February in hopes of helping people who can’t afford to buy some of the necessities of life such as clothing, food and household items. There are even some children’s toys and baby items available for families with young children.
“I said the pastor’s wife, there is so much stuff that we give away to the Red Cross and Value Village, and some people can’t afford to even buy it there,” she said. “We should be able to give some of this stuff away.”
The cupboard was closed during the middle of August because of the church basement was being used by other groups, but she said the need from the community has made it clear to the church that such a service is needed in area.
“Pastor was getting so many calls for things,” he said. “We had already taken three truckloads for donations to (other groups) when we decided to reopen. We had three bags left over and said, ‘let’s open and see what will happen.’”
Jenereaux said it wasn’t long before people heard the service was open again and were coming to their basement for service.
“We will take anything people want to donate,” she said. “We’ve had some furniture, toys, summer and winter clothing. We put it all out.”
She said the only stipulation is the church won’t pass out anything it wouldn’t approve of.
“As Christians, if we don’t think it’s suitable, we won’t pass it out,” she said. “There have been some books and videos we haven’t put out on the tables.”
Anyone wanting to donate to the Community Cupboard can contact Pastor Jerry Stearns at 752-4294.
