First Baptist prepares for annual clothing giveaway

By Tabatha Hunter

Posted: August 5, 2009 at 6:07 a.m.

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BENTONVILLE — All this week, the First Baptist Church in Bentonville will be busy with activity as church members prepare for Saturday's seventh annual clothing giveaway.

On Monday, the church began collecting clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories for the event, which is expected to bring in around 1,000 people, said Lisa Johnson, chairwoman of the giveaway.

The idea is simple. For one week, the church's gym is converted into a department store of sorts, filled to the brim with hand-me-downs for those in need. Then, for five hours on Saturday, the gym is opened to allow those who need a little help making ends meet to shop for free.

"It is just a good way for us to show northwest Arkansas Jesus' love. He has blessed us so much that we would like to share those blessings," Johnson said.

The clothes being housedon the 60 racks waiting for Saturday include formal gowns and clothing for everyone from babies born prematurely to adults, Johnson said.

Last year's clothing giveaway saw 600 people - many of whom slept outside the church the night before - come through the doors, and even more are expected this year, Johnson said.

Those who volunteer at the event have stories for why they continue to help with the giveaway and why it is important.

"One year, there was this little boy who did not have any shoes on. He came running up and he asked if we had any shoes, and it was just so touching," Cindy Knipple of Bentonville said. The little boy, who was around 6 years old, walked away with a pair of brand-new hand-me-down sneakers.

"He was just so excited," Knipple said.

For Susan Byrum of Bentonville, helping the mothers who come through thechurch's gym is memorable.

"It is just the moms who come in who need clothes for their kids. They will get what their kids need, and you have to remind them to get something for themselves, too," Byrum said.

First Baptist Church will take clothing donations for the giveaway through Friday. On Saturday, from 7 a.m. until noon, the church's gymnasium will be open for anyone who needs clothes to get the items they need, Johnson said.

The First Baptist Church of Bentonville is at 200 S.W. A St.

News, Pages 10 on 08/05/2009

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