The Community Clothes Closet in Victor will be making a move after nearly nine years in operation, while still keeping a presence at where it all began.
The client-facing portion of the Clothes Closet will close Oct. 23 at Victor United Methodist Church in the village.
The plan is to reopen during regular hours Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 888 Victor Egypt Road (County Road 9), Victor.
And it's not far, just a mile up the road, according to Karen Hansen, director of the closet since accepting a challenge from then-Pastor David Underwood nine years ago February 20227.
"We have significantly increased in use and outreach, and space is needed," Hansen said.
The Victor UMC will continue to provide space for receiving, sorting and
storing donations, said the Rev. Katrina Cappotelli, the current pastor of the church, in a bulletin to churchgoers.
"The Clothes Closet has been bursting at the seams for quite some time and accessibility was becoming issue in the old parsonage,'" Cappotelli wrote.
Hansen said approximately $1 million worth of new and gently used products are given annually to serve walk-ins, other missions, social services, schools, veterans and anyone in need.
The need, of course, continues, especially for decent clothes for work and school, new underwear and socks, hoodies, sneakers and sheets, towels and blanket.
Approximately 70 volunteers help make it all happen.
Calling the move an "exciting new chapter," Cappotelli said this represents more than simply a change of location.
"It gives us an opportunity to rethink how the Clothes Closet works so that our volunteers have the space they need and, most importantly, so that the people who come through our doors experience a ministry that is welcoming, accessible, and dignified," Cappotelli wrote.
Cappotelli said her church is grateful for the generosity that makes this possible — from the people who donate clothing, to the volunteers who sort and organize it, to St. John’s for opening its doors and sharing its space.
"This is exactly the kind of ministry that reminds us what can happen when we stop thinking in terms of our church and their churchand start thinking in terms of our shared ministry," Cappotelli said.
For more information
When the Victor Community Closet reopens for customers at St. John's Lutheran Church, hours will remain the same. It will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Victor United Methodist church, 106 E. Main St., Victor, will continue to receive, sort and store donations.
A grand opening is planned for after the new year.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Victor Community Clothes Closet moving to new location | Exclusive
