Garfield clothing giveaways serve many area residents

Mounds of free clothing, dishes, blankets and suits adorn the tables of the Grange and Legion hall in Garfield. People mosey through the aisles of the clothing giveaway.

"Mommy, does this look cute on me?" asked the daughter of Jennifer Low as they pick their way through a pile of merchandise.

Last week the LaDow Grange conducted a clothing giveaway for three days. From today through Sunday, Oct. 24, LaDow Grangers will have a winter coat and winter clothing giveaway.

Low found several outfits for her two daughters as well as some linens for her home. She discovered several items for herself.

"I like vintage things, and I found a vintage slip and this purse," she said, digging out a leather purse.

The giveaway offers donated clothing for all ages as well as household supplies like sheets and dishes.

Set up much like a thrift store, the giveaway allows patrons to walk from clothing section to clothing section to sort through items from women, men and children’s clothing. Kitchen ladles, girl shoes, men’s boots, men’s tweed suits, women’s pants, broken kitchen colanders and other wares are offered.

"They know they can come here and find good, clean, quality clothes," said Nancy Hathaway, a member of the grange and overseer of the event.

Hathaway said people from the area leave donations at the Grange/Legion building year-round. The donations fill most of the back storage room, Hathaway noted as she pointed to the ceiling-high stacks of boxes.

"We’ll restock the tables and we’ll probably completely turn over by Sunday," said Hathaway on the first day of the clothing giveaway.

Grange lecturer LaJeanne Proctor said their highest count at a giveaway was more than 800 people.

She guessed they had roughly 25 volunteers, most part-time, helping sort through clothes, helping visitors and keeping the tables stocked.

"It just gets blessed and goes on and on," Proctor said.

Proctor said they have received several unique items as donations over the years.

"We’ve given away river rafts. We’ve given away chainsaws. We’ve given away bikes," she said.