[Organization Name]

When I was naked, you clothed Me . . .
- Matthew 25:36

Outside and inside our doorstep, friends and neighbors face the challenge of inadequate and threadbare clothes.  At Calvary, we are determined to help alleviate their suffering by providing free clothing to those in need at a new ministry called The Emergency Clothes Closet.

“The Closet” is the clothing arm of a broader ministry of churches, pooling their resources in order to serve the poor in our neighborhood.  Some churches provide shelter; others, food; still others, job training.  All of the churches serve the needy with the goal of moving clients toward self-sufficiency.

“The Closet” opened on October 17, 2009, and has helped hundreds of clients already.  As we serve our neighbors in the name of Christ, we need legions of volunteers: workers to sort and organize clothing donations along with workers to help clients on Saturdays fulfill their emergency clothing needs.

“The Closet” Volunteer Form provides space for individuals, groups of friends, families with children 9 and older, LifeGroups, Bible Studies, AF/PC Small Groups and ABFs to sign up to work regular rotating shifts together. 

If you have questions, you can email us at: !

Clothing Donations

We gratefully accept clothing donations at the church, Monday-Friday, 9-4.  There are collection bins located in the portico of the church, accessed from the entrance in the west parking lot of 931 Lake Street. Receipts for tax purposes are on the sill above the collection bins.  

At the moment we are in need of:

Warm winter coats and jackets, Boots, Gloves, size XL men's pants,  NEW men's and women's underwear, and anything size XXL or larger. Our most pressing need is for long underwear, both men's and women's,  in very large sizes.

In general, the items we are looking for are: 

OUTERWEAR

• Jackets
• Rain slickers and ponchos
• Winter coats
• Winter hats
• Warm gloves
• Warm scarves

TOPS

• T-shirts – long-sleeve, short-sleeve
• Knit shirts - long-sleeve, short-sleeve
• Flannel shirts and other types of warm shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Sweaters
• Fleeces

PANTS

• Jeans
• Washable pants

FOOTWEAR

• Shoes
• Snow boots
• Socks

UNDERWEAR

• Men's and women's new and gently-used underwear, long-underwear, and bras

ACCESSORIES

• Belts
• Backpacks, duffel bags, trade show bags
• Umbrellas
• Small suitcases with wheels

ECC STORAGE NEEDS

• Sturdy hangers
• Large clear plastic storage bins with lids
• Masking tape

Please limit donations to the items listed above.  We are not collecting dress wear or business wear or children's clothing at this time. 

THANK YOU!

Are you in need of clothing?

The Closet is open every Saturday (except holidays) from 9:30-11:30 am.  We invite clients to visit the Closet once every three months to receive up to five items each visit.

We serve clients who live within the zip codes of our service boundaries: 60104, 60130, 60131, 60141, 60153, 60154, 60155, 60160, 60161, 60162, 60163, 60164, 60165, 60171, 60176, 60301, 60302, 60304, 60305, 60402, 60513, 60526, 60534, 60638, 60546, 60644, 60651 and 60707.  We request a photo ID showing residency within those boundaries.

If you do not have a photo ID, please visit the Walk-In Ministry, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, Monday through Saturday, 10-11 am.  They will help you obtain one.

We will be closed for the summer.

The Closet will close for the summer on May 29 at 11:00 AM.  We'll reopen on October 16.

Would you like to help us process donations this summer?

Come to the church on one of our four sorting days this summer.  You'll make new friends and help out some folks in our community.  The dates are Thursdays, June 17, July 15 and August 19 and Saturday, August 8, all at 10 AM.

Would you like to volunteer in the Closet on Saturday monings or during the week?

Contact emergencyclothescloset.com to complete the Closet Volunteer Information Form online, or print out and complete the form below.

Name: _______________________________

Address: _____________________________

City: ______________ Zip:  _____________

E-Mail:__________________________________________________________________

(If you have an e-mail, please provide for scheduling purposes)

Phone:______________________________Cell Phone:_____________________________

Volunteer Opportunities

Serving on Saturday:

(The Closet is open every Saturday at Calvary Memorial from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes prior to opening.)

__I am interested in volunteering to serve on Saturdays with The Closet.

__I am interested in volunteering to provide child care on Saturdays for other volunteers of The Closet.

__If child care can be provided, would you need it on Saturday?

How often would you like to volunteer?

__Once a month

__Twice a month

Which Saturday of the month is best for you to volunteer? (circle) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Sorting Clothes:

If interested in sorting, please select your preference.

__Tuesday Mornings, 9:30 -11:30am

__Wednesday Evenings, 6-8:30pm

How frequently can you volunteer with The Closet to sort clothes? 

__Once a month

__Twice a week

__Once a week

Please return to:

Calvary Memorial Church, Attention: Jenn Havens, Emergency Clothes Closet, by either dropping off in the church office or mailing to the church at 931 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301.