Here in Staunton, IL the churches have worked together to create what is called His Store. This is a donated store building filled with donated clothing.   Volunteers from churches operate the store 4 hours each day, to sell the clothing. The money collected is then given to the food pantry to supply food to the needy.

My wife and I are working there today, taking one of our regular turns.

His Store was first started at the General Baptist church, for the purpose of distributing used clothing to their members.  Donations got too big, and the decision had to be made about whether to stop the project, or to expand it.  In a discussion with the ministerial alliance of Staunton, a kind of partnership was formed.   A store was "donated" and churches were assigned on a schedule of one week at a time to provide volunteers to operate the store from 10 to 2 each day:  two workers each day. When they are not selling, the volunteers sort the clothing and hang them on racks.  Only clean and good clothing are accepted.  If someone enters who you determine can't pay, those working can give the clothing away.  Prices are in the range of 50 cents for shirts and pants; 25 cents for shoes; $1 for dresses and suits -- some of which look better than what I wear!  Used furniture is posted on a bulletin board, and can be picked up free at the donor's home. 

All the community churches participate in operating His Store, including the:   Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Community of Christ, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc.  Since my wife is Catholic, I work with her for St. Michael's.   We have a lot of fun with it.  It is not posted in the store which church the workers are from, only that they are church people -- Some customers ask and some don't.   When they do ask, it is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ with them. 

We have an elected treasurer who then gives all money collected to the food pantry in Staunton -- a nice contribution for the community.  It is through cooperative efforts like this that we each can help turn the world's "vicious circle" into a "loving circle". 

Dan Welborn, Sawyerville congregation