HEIDENHEIMER, Texas — A Central Texas non-profit is asking the public for clothing donations so that they can continue to help the hundreds of people in need within the community.
Closet of Hope, located at 5625 E Business 190 in Heidenheimer, Texas, provides free quality clothing and shoes to as many as 400 to 600 people a week, said Director Lisa Baggerly. Just last week, for example, Closet of Hope helped 650 people, according to the organization's Facebook post.
"It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding for all of us," Baggerly said.
"There's a lot of people that cannot afford with, you know, clothes and even food... it's really expensive nowadays," said Copperas Cove resident Norma Chizer.
Chizer shared that she is battling breast cancer, which is why she turned to Closet of Hope.
"I came here because I was told that they have clothes for needy people and right now, since I have a lot of emergencies with my medical, I thought I'd come and get help with clothes," Chizer shared.
Each person is allowed six items. To make things easier for folks, Baggerly said they won't ask questions or require paperwork.
"A lot of times, you go to different organizations and you're asked a lot of questions, or you need paperwork, and we don't require any of that," Baggerly said. "We don't ask, we don't want to know unless they want to tell us. And so what we do is we just see the need and feel it the best way we can, and then we always pray for people. If they ask for that."
Though they are looking for clothing donations, they only accept those without holes or stains. With school back in full swing, she said they are in need of children's clothes.
"The main needs would be like a 2T toddler, boy and girl," Baggerly shared.
Baggerly said they also need children's clothing from toddler to teens, as well as men's jeans of all sizes.
"Jeans are a real big need," she shared.
Closet of Hope also serves homeless individuals from Feed My Sheep in Temple, as well as single mothers, foster families and grandmothers.
"We're here to serve and if there's anybody that wants to reach out, privately, they can," Baggerly said. "I'll be glad to help them. Anyway, I can."
Closet of Hope is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, but you can drop of donations at any time. Baggerly said they request you call ahead at (254) 624-3043 to let them know if you donating.