Hicks initiates clothing ministry at First Baptist

Cindy Hicks saw a need in the Fayette County area and, wanting to help people, was tossing around ideas in her head on how best to do this.

She saw a need to help people clothe their families, especially younger children and teenagers, when they are hard-pressed to pay their bills, handle school expenses and put food on their table. Although clothes are a necessity, they are not at the top of the have-to-have list.

For Hicks, a way to help families in financial distress presented itself in the form of a ministry that she calls “The Closet.” The clothing ministry is operated out of the basement of First Baptist Church in Vandalia, with designated “shopping days”

The ministry, of which Hicks is coordinator, relies on the generosity and giving hearts of people who donate not only clothes and household items, but also volunteer hours.

Hicks lives in rural Ramsey with her husband, Mike Hicks, and their daughters, Megan and Danielle Steel. In addition to her volunteer work, she works as secretary for the Lighthouse Pregnancy Center in Vandalia.

Meet Cindy Hicks as she explains the conception and operation of “The Closet.”

“The Closet”

“The Closet is a ministry through which we collect clothing and other miscellaneous items to give away to families that are in financial distress,” she said.

“It is helping them to get the things they might need to live a better life.

"There are a lot of ways to be in financial distress that do not necessarily mean being without a job. It is to show them that we truly care for them and care about what they are in need of,” Hicks said.

“My sister in North Carolina came up with this idea, not knowing that I was thinking about the same thing,” she said.

“So this ministry is being done in North Carolina, as well as here in Vandalia. My sister got started and it was a great success in her community.

"They have already held three successful shopping days.”

On Saturday, March 27, “The Closet” doors were opened in Vandalia for the second free shopping day, and provided 85 families with free clothing of their choice.

Each member of each family (including the children) was given a $50 voucher that they could use as money. The clothes are price-tagged, such as jeans for $1, with the prices of items kept low.

Thanks to the volunteer workers, under Hicks’ coordination, the clothing is neatly arranged on hangers and on racks.

The Volunteers

Hicks gives a lot of credit to the dedicated volunteers, who range from the young people of the church to retired residents of the community. While many of the volunteers are members of First Baptist Church, Hicks welcomes anyone in the community to help … and share in the blessings.

The Work, the Goal and the Blessings

“We put a lot of time into sorting and collecting those things to give away, all in great fun and fellowship with one another,” Hicks said.

“We have several volunteers who help with all aspects of this ministry, whether we sort, tag clothes, wash clothes, set up for the shopping day or work on the shopping day,” she said.

“We look so forward to seeing what our work will do for others. Our goal is to do all of this in love.

“Our second free shopping day in March was a great success,” Hicks said. “To watch people shopping for items gives me the joy and blesses me in such a way that I can’t stop smiling.

“Also, watching the volunteers working, whatever that job may be, knowing that we all came together as one to get this ministry accomplished for the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, adds to the blessings.

Now Seeking…

…New and/or used clothing, in good repair and clean, and volunteers looking for a fun time and fellowship with others, coming together for the purpose of helping others. Especially needed at this time are teen clothes and young girls clothes.

The next shopping day is Saturday, June 19,  from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Vandalia.

“We are looking forward to seeing many people there, whether they are shopping or volunteering,” Hicks said.

For more information, call Cindy Hicks at 315-5239 or go online to www.closetministry.com.