Longboat Island Chapel hosts and donates to Mt. Carmel Resource Center

Longboat Island Chapel celebrated Father’s Day by giving back to local nonprofits.

The second annual “Father Knows Best” event by the charitable outreach committee collected men’s clothing to donate to Mt. Carmel Resource Center on June 18. The chapel holds “Gather and Give” cocktail hours each month as a way to socialize and encourage its members to learn more about the needs of the local community.

Mt. Carmel Executive Director Shirley Pearson can’t remember how long Mt. Carmel has been working with the chapel but expressed how blessed it is to partner with them for many years. She said she feels like a member of the congregation because of how often they work together. 

Pearson started Mt. Carmel Resource Center after moving back to her hometown of Palmetto from Kansas in 2005. After working with soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Kansas, she couldn’t help but realize the need here in the area. 

Mt. Carmel helps those in need of food and clothing assistance, social services and educational opportunities. Through its clothing ministry, people donate mostly women’s clothes to the center, but it is rare to receive men’s clothes. Pearson said events like these are a big help.

“These events really show how coming together makes a difference,” said Pearson. “I will forever be grateful for the Longboat Island Chapel for making us feel welcome and helping us all the time.”