This past Saturday, The Gathering Place Mission in Weissport held The Shepherd’s Closet clothing drive. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., local community members were invited to browse and pick up a variety of donated clothing, shoes and other accessories for no cost at all.

Although not necessary, monetary donations at the clothing drive were welcomed and would help benefit future community events.

Organizers received a wide assortment of items for all ages and sizes including clothing/shoes for men, women, boys, girls, children and infants. The only restriction in place limited guests to taking 15 items per person.

Anita Wisler, overseer and organizer of The Shepherd’s Closet clothing drive, explained her involvement and how the event initially started.

“I used to come here to the community dinners every fourth Saturday. Then they (the church) decided they wanted to set up a regular room and have it open certain times each month so people could come in and get free items. And so they just asked me if I would oversee it (the clothing drive) and set it up.”

Living in the immediate area and finding reward in community involvements, Wisler welcomed the opportunity to organize the event.

Wisler also explained the way in which the event gained such a number of donations to give away for free.

“We were really blessed. I started to put advertisements on Facebook, I mentioned it (the clothing drive) in all the different churches, and I called all my friends. When the word got out people just started to bring things.”

The event is scheduled to continue every second Saturday and third Wednesday of every month from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For those interested in donating clothing, shoes, or accessories, contact Wisler at 610-377-5395 or email bugsbuny@ptd.net.

Loretta Oswald, director of the Northeast Area Council of Youth Fellowship Prison Ministry, was also at the event. The ministry is currently partnering with The Gathering Place to help their ministries progress.

She discussed future classes that The Gathering Place plans to host in the coming months. These classes will be free for the public with a possible small fee regarding materials.

“So many of our volunteers have come forth and are volunteering to do classes here. Some of them include life skill classes, GED classes, recovery classes, healthy cooking classes, women’s finance classes, anger management classes and parenting classes.”

With many of these volunteers being teachers, these classes are sure to prove beneficial for people in need in the Lehighton area.

In addition to these classes, The Gathering Place is holding a Brown Bag Dinner on July 25 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for those in need of a meal. Guests will be served at the door and are welcome to bring a lawn chair and blanket to dine on the side lawn of the church.