Mike Wolanin | The Republic The Hope Moravian Mission House on Main Street in Hope is home to a monthly clothes pantry.
HOPE — Linda Foote’s T-shirt message reads, “Worry less, pray more.”
Yet, just a couple of years ago nearly to the day, the woman who knew poverty in her 20s had become quite concerned about those around her struggling amid the post-pandemic financial downturn. Her teen daughter Bailey Cheshire saw the same need.
“I had five kids and you know, just just clothing them is a struggle,” Foote said. “They outgrow clothes so fast, and I know firsthand how that is.”
So Foote, a Hope resident, knew what she needed to do — the same thing that she did four other times in four other areas she had lived: launch a free clothes outreach. Cheshire immediately became her sidekick in the endeavor and much of the physical muscle for moving boxes and bags of clothes and similar tasks.
“I’m the co-star,” Cheshire cracked.
Actually, Foote sees God’s love stirring in the heart of donors as the starring element of the monthly outreach (except for July) through Hope Moravian Church helping people in Hope, Columbus, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Greenwood, you name it. On a recent month, nearly 100 people showed up to select items from menswear, women’s wear, children’s clothes, shoes, and more.
“You know, my saying is, if we just serve one person, that’s the person God sent,” Foote said, “and that’s who we’re supposed to help.”
As she spoke, she and Cheshire sat in the kitchen of the church’s Mission House on Main Street in Hope. That’s where about 40 bags of sorted clothes sit just inside the front door, not counting boxes of other items several rooms away. Foote is driven partly to swipe whatever shame the financially hurting may feel about coming for help.
“Struggling people should be able to dress like anyone else,” she said, adding that she is dedicated to quality clothing and not well-worn castoffs.
Most months since the summer of 2022, the pantry helps 40 to 60 people. The initial month, 15 people came before word began spreading. And goodness knows that Foote talks about the outreach nearly all the time, no matter where she is. Once, when she had a flat tire, she passed out flyers to those who came to help her.
“She was even passing out flyers to people at the (Indianapolis) Zoo,” Cheshire said, chuckling.
These days, she’s seeking more volunteers, too — especially since Cheshire is leaving home for Ball State University in Muncie in August. Besides Cheshire, she has also relied on assistance from sons Ryan and Aiden Cheshire, daughter Nicole Cheshire, plus Greenwood resident Julia Loveless, her granddaughter-in-law.
“I just really like how welcoming and accepting everyone is here, so it’s a nice atmosphere to have my son around,” Loveless said. “And then, also, I like helping people, because I’ve come from a low-income family, and it’s been very hard at times. So I know that it helps those people and I know what that means to them.”
The clothes pantry coordinators need volunteers for various tasks, including taking donated clothes home to wash and return.
“Whoever wants to come and help, I’m more than happy to oblige,” Foote said. “I’d like to find a way to maybe get some of the Columbus churches involved.”
Foote simply prays for the right people to come along at the right time. She leans on Scripture for assurance amid practical needs.
“God says that he will feed us,” Foote said. “But he also says that he will clothe us.”
There is no limit to how much people can take away. Some people have arrived and shopped for neighbors who couldn’t make it. Others have been stunned to find not only clean, donated items in good condition, but also new, brand-name donated items with the store tags still attached.
Besides athletic wear, people also have donated everything from knee braces to knee pads. They generally have a good variety of shoes.
And Foote said they always have plenty of love to distribute to visitors. One size fits all. Loveless readily agreed.
“I think that a lot of people can be intimidated by churches because they think Christians might be judgmental,” Loveless said. “But this one is the most welcoming church I’ve ever been to.”
Next clothes giveaway
What: Hope Moravian Church Clothes Pantry for anyone needing clothes with no questions asked and no qualifications.
When: 9 a.m. to noon June 29.
Where: Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main St. in Hope.
To donate bagged clothes: Drop off near back parking lot of the church at the sign reading donations.
For emergency clothing needs: Organizers are willing to help with a few items between giveaways.
Information/questions: Call Linda Foote at 812-560-5943.
