Community groups working together to distribute free clothing to homeless

Several local Good Samaritans will be gathering on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Grant Street Parking lot to give away free clothing to those in need.

The distribution is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

"It actually came about just because my niece, Jayla Beale, and her friend, Zora McCoy, had asked me to help her find some clothes for a homeless guy she and her friend were trying to help," said Kittrel Wynne, one of the organizers.

Wynne said that while searching for clothing for the person, he and several others ended up with an abundance of other clothing as well.

"We had to figure out how do we get rid of all of this stuff," said Wynne. "I contacted ConnectPoint pastor Allen Calvert and told him what I had, and we decided to do a clothes giveaway."

Wynne said the church had also been planning a giveaway due to excess clothing they had accumulated.

Wynne said the group also includes members from Pastor Ray Peals' congregation at Fellowship Community Church.

As a group the Samaritans decided that a central location in the city would be best to serve those in need.

"With the cold weather coming in, we wanted to make sure that our homeless and less thought about population has adequate clothing to stay warm," said Williams. "Or, the adequate clothing to get dressed and try to find a job."

Wynne said that the group also received a large donation of new clothes from a company.

"They gave a large donation through one of their shipping companies they had to get rid of," said Wynne. "And that was a cargo trailer of brand new clothing."

Wynne said the group came together to get all the donated clothes clean in time for the giveaway.

"That just put us over the top," said Wynne of the donation. “We have a bunch of clothes to give out."

Wynne said everyone is invited to attend the distribution but asks those who come to wear masks and to keep social distancing in mind.

According to Wynne, those wanting to donate clothing may drop items off at 16 N. Grant Street at BM's Barber Shop or at ConnectPoint Church.

“If people want to bring their own tables and clothes, they can do that as well," he said added. "We are just concerned citizens trying to give back to a population that is forgotten about a lot of time.”

Wynne said that while there are several places in the city that offer clothing resources, the group really wanted to try to help in a different way.

"The response has been surprising to me, but I'm grateful people have paid attention," Wynne said of the amount of donations received. "My living room has stuff everywhere.

"I want this to be a community thing," Wynne continued. "Just come through and be blessed."