Rags to Riches

“Rags to Riches” is a common phrase but one that has special meaning to the Rescue Mission. It can mean more meals, more medical care, more learning opportunities and more clothing for the neediest of our community and beyond.

Since the Mission relies entirely on the generosity of donors, we welcome new and innovative ideas to increase revenue. Calvary United Methodist came up with one such idea and it has been so lucrative that they have continued to bless the Mission through this program for the last four years – they appropriately call it “Rags to Riches”.

Calvary UM heard about our baling operation and decided to have a drive asking their congregation to riffle through their closets for ripped or stained clothing, old linens and any fabric they deem unusable. Once collected, they deliver these items to a special area near our clothing center to be bundled into large ‘bales’ that are eventually sold by weight. The company that purchases them then sorts them into usable and unusable items.

The suitable items are sent to a third world country and will be a blessing to many men, women, and children who have next to nothing. If the materials are considered unsuitable they are still put to good use and are recycled into industrial rags.

In addition to clothing, we also welcome shoes (1-inch heal or less), sneakers, and any genuine leather products (pocketbooks, belts, etc.).

This whole baling process has been nothing less than a “win-win-win”…

1. No clothing that is donated ends up in a landfill.
2. The funds generated from the baling operation goes directly to the Mission and its programs.
3. Not only are we helping our neighbors, but we are blessing those around the globe as well.

So far, this year-to-date, the Rescue Mission has received $21,482 from the baling operation!

If this “Rags to Riches” program interests you, your church group or office let us know! The more people we have involved, the more we can impact the broken and impoverished – reaching out to our community and all ends of the earth…literally!

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” ~ Acts 20:35

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Donna Drum
Director of Clothing Distribution

Categories: Perry's Blog