DANVILLE — Sometimes, a person needs a new set of clothes for a job interview. Or a family might have lost everything in a fire. Or a single mom’s salary doesn’t stretch to include decent school clothes for her children.

In those cases and others, the new Just for Me Clothing ministry is ready to help.

Volunteers from three churches have come together to match donated clothing with people in need.

CrossRoads Christian Church serves as the drop-off point for donated clothing and provides the rooms where volunteers sort, wash and display the clothes. Second Church of Christ and First Church of the Nazarene are involved, too, but the ministry is open to all churches and individuals.

The faith-based ministry opened at the end of February, and already, seven families have been helped. Plus, the donations are pouring in.

“We haven’t been open a day that people haven’t brought clothing,” said Cheryl Thornsbrough, the program/site coordinator. She also is administrative assistant at CrossRoads. “It’s phenomenal how people have donated.”

On a recent day, Arlene Jaynes, who’s on the board and a member of First Church of the Nazarene, was keeping an eye on the washer and dryer, which were donated. She said the program was getting a lot of clothing donations already.

Clara Kreidl, also a board member and a member of Second Church of Christ, was busy putting the clean clothing in order.

“I love to fold clothes,” she said with a smile.

Thornsbrough added that Kreidl has a knack for arranging the clothing.

Other volunteers also scurried around the rooms.

The idea for the clothing ministry arose last summer when Thornsbrough was talking to a woman, and said, “I have a vision to create a clothing ministry.”

Julie Webb responded that she did, too.

In August, a group of women met to form the ministry; most were unknown to each other. The board now has six members.

CrossRoads offered a display room in the front of its building, and sorting rooms at the rear. Volunteers, including Dan Dunavan, Lloyd White and Tim Carter, built another room with shelves.

Anyone who needs clothing should call Thornsbrough to set up an appointment and fill out a form. There are no income restrictions, and all information is confidential.

A family is allowed to choose six changes of clothing for each person, at no cost. The family may use the clothing room every 60 days, three times a year.

Each family also receives two containers of laundry soap made by Lindsey Johnson.

When clothing comes in, some is kept to give to families; some is donated to the Salvation Army or to Master Provisions, which serves European countries. Clothing that is not usable is picked up by a recycler in Indianapolis. The recycler pays per-pound, and that money is used to buy underwear and pajamas.

The program could use more clothing for teenagers, as well as boys’ and men’s jeans. Hangers also are needed.

Volunteers are always welcomed, and will be asked to fill out an application form. In addition, churches that want to become part of the ministry may contact Thornsbrough.

“We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to everybody we meet,” Thornsbrough said. “We just want to help the community.”

Board members also have a dream to expand services.

Thornsbrough said, “We hope to branch out in being able to help the community with budgeting, nutrition and job skills.”

For example, a volunteer could offer interview tips to a person who’s trying to find a job or someone with financial skills could advise a family about its budget.

Thornsbrough also sees a strong need for a homeless shelter in Danville.

Those dreams, however, are on hold for now.

She added, “You can’t get ahead of God. You have to be patient and wait.

“I know God has a plan to help the community.”

FYI

The Just for Me Clothing room is open from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at CrossRoads Christian Church, 3613 N. Vermilion St. To make an appointment, call Cheryl Thornsbrough at 443-4323, Ext. 201. Anyone who wants to volunteer may call that number, too.

People may donate gently-used or like-new clothing at the church; use the door (marked for clothing dropoff) on the northeast side of the building.

Money donations are needed to buy new underwear, socks and pajamas.