God's Closet Pandemic Style

“We missed our April God’s Closet. How can we do our August event with COVID-19 still attacking our city?” That question nagged our God’s Closet Board led by Sara Maniscalco as we met to see how we could safely provide needed children’s clothing to our inner city community in Spokane, Washington.

What if we sort all the clothes as usual, then pre-bag them according to size and gender? We can then take them outside to the waiting moms, dads, and grandparents with minimal contact between individuals.

It would be an experiment, but we felt that we could keep everyone safe as we carefully made plans. Sorting was done over the next two weeks during four “sort days” with bagging being done the Friday before our August 2, Sunday morning “shop day.” Sorting took on a different look with a reduced number of volunteers all wearing masks and practicing “social distancing.”  

Would people still come? Could we still show them Jesus’ love under these conditions? We believed we could. And people did come—fewer numbers to be sure—but we still served about 60 families representing 120 children at the Spokane Central Church Fellowship Hall.

As we handed them their bags of clothing, we heard comments such as: “I really have nothing for my son. Thank you so much for what you are doing.” Or “It seems like everybody is moving into our house. Can I get bags for my nieces and nephews, too?” (The answer, of course, was, “Yes!”) With each bag handed out, we prayed that God would bless each family and that they might find just what they needed in their bag.

Pastor Gerald Haeger was one of those taking the bags out to our visitors and lifting them up in prayer. One lady who was hearing impaired, used a smart phone app to communicate. She was concerned for her daughter and her father and asked him to pray for them through her cell phone. A Marshallese lady asked for prayer for the salvation of her family.

We are so grateful for our wonderful volunteers who made this event possible. As always when we are privileged to do the Master’s work we are blessed far beyond what we feel we provide to our visitors. During these troubled times, our Heavenly Father is still caring for the needs and seeking to win the hearts of His children. We are honored to be a part of that work!