Longboat Island Chapel outreach event overflows with donations

The generosity was overflowing — literally — on June 20 at the Longboat Island Chapel.

The church’s Charitable Outreach Committee collected shoes, personal items, toiletries, clothing and care packages with a theme of “Father Knows Best.” The donations filled a van headed to the Mt. Carmel Resource Center, with another carload of donated items still remaining at the church for another trip.

“We were able to collect so many things like clothing and household items that we filled up the van and couldn’t get the rest to fit. They’ll be back to pick up the rest of the donated items,” said Karen Pashkow, event organizer and Longboat Island Chapel charitable outreach committee member.

Photo by Sidra Wali

Among the donations were 200 pairs of socks from Bombas. The New York-based apparel company donates a clothing item for each one purchased and partners with organizations across the country that help homeless people in order to distribute donations.

“I can’t thank Longboat Island Chapel enough. They collected personal items, socks, clothing and furniture,” said Shirley Pearson, executive director of Mt. Carmel Community Resource Center. “This helps people that were once incarcerated, low-income families and homeless. This impacts their life today for success tomorrow.”

Photo by Sidra Wali

The monthly events grew from humble beginnings with a simple chest and sign in the church fellowship hall into themed, “Dine and Donate” nights. The Charitable Outreach Committee soon found that having a memorable theme and more eye-catching displays helped the event stick in church members’ minds and led to more donations.

Each month, the Charitable Outreach Committee selects a different cause and creates a fun theme around it to inspire more donations, culminating in a social hour during which church members package the donations and share in community fellowship.

July’s donation theme will be “Wipe it Clean;” the Charitable Outreach Committee will be collecting toilet paper for those in need.

“It’s amazing what people will donate. People get together and they do great things,” said Anne Summers, co-chair of the Charitable Outreach Committee. “If you want to do outreach, this is the way to do it.”