Clothing free — no questions asked

The church is sponsoring a free clothing giveaway to help those in need.

AUSTINTOWN — The Crossroads Church will have a BYOB event.

Bring your own boxes and bags, that is.

The church, located at 554 South Meridian Road in the township, will have a free clothing giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the building’s social hall. All items are free, and no questions are asked about what is taken.

“Sometimes people see that it is a church thing, and they think they have to leave their name and the church will be calling them, but we don’t even need to know who you are,” Gayle Carino, a church volunteer, said. “Just bring a bag and come in.”

The church has more than 10,000 pieces of clothing and shoes, which range from infant to plus sizes, Cheryl Balciar, the giveaway coordinator, said.

The clothes are separated by gender on 31 tables in the social hall. Items include play clothes, school uniforms, winter coats, bathing suits, shoes and some toiletries.

Balciar got the idea for the giveaway after hearing of a similar event at Austintown Middle School this past April. The church began collecting donations of new or gently used clothing about a year ago and stored them in the basement.

Balciar made it clear the clothing giveaway was a matter of faith in humanity and not about religion. The clothing is available to everyone, regardless of practice or denomination.

“It doesn’t matter who you are; you don’t have to attend church here,” she said. “People have needs, and there are so many in this community who can’t get assistance. The job loss is horrendous, and they’re hurting, and they don’t know where to turn.”

She added that members of the church would be there to listen if needed but wouldn’t try to sway someone’s opinion.

Carino said it’s a win-win for both the church and those who choose to take advantage of the free clothing.

“It doesn’t cost us anything, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” she said.

Balciar said some people consider clothing giveaways as being beneath them or view them as a handout. She said she hopes the anonymous giveaway can help people forget their pride and receive any items they may need.

“A lot of people think these type of things are only if you’re destitute or poor, but it’s available to everybody who wants to use it,” she said. “There’s no contract; it’s come in and take what you need.”

Carino said the message the church hopes to send is that even in tough times the church is an option for those who need a boost, whether it is spiritually or otherwise.

“Helping people is what church is all about,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you believe in what we believe or not. We just want to help people.”

For more information, contact the church at (330) 799-9988.

jmoffett@vindy.com