Lutheran Ministry Services Northwest (LMSN) is responding to a growing, urgent need in the Puget Sound region — and local churches can help meet it.
LMSN, an RSO of the NOW District, has operated a clothing drive program for many years, but the need is being felt now more than ever. The recipients are people who are starting over — individuals leaving incarceration, residents in transitional housing, and men and women experiencing homelessness — many of whom could deeply benefit from seeing the love of Jesus lived out in tangible ways.
And getting involved is simple.
LMSN is seeking congregations to collect items for these three ministries:
- Good Shepherd House – A low-income housing facility providing stability and support for men and women in Seattle.
- House of Mercy – Supporting 30 halfway houses for recently released resident inmates across Washington as they reenter society. Men’s clothing in large and XL sizes is especially needed.
- Seattle Homeless Shelters – Serving men and women experiencing crisis.
To get started, a congregation simply sets up a collection bin in their church (the narthex is a great spot), collects lightly used or brand-new clothing for one of the organizations listed above, and then either delivers the items to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Seattle or contacts LMSN Executive Director Don Sundene to arrange pickup options. This flyer includes all the details and can also be used to help promote the effort to your members.
“We have always had a clothing drive of one kind or another, but never a consistent program,” Sundene said. “Our prayer is that this will become an ongoing ministry. Partnering with The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd now provides a clear conduit from Puget Sound churches to a central collection point where clothing can be sorted and distributed by volunteers.”
All types of clothing for men and women are accepted, in all sizes. Think about what you might normally take to Goodwill — those items could instead be a direct blessing to someone in need. New clothing is always welcome as well.
“When a new resident arrives at the House of Mercy [transitional housing], it’s often with only the clothes he went to prison in,” Sundene said. “So think about the clothing most important for reentering society: socks, hats, jackets, pants, and shirts. The most-needed items are socks and underwear.”
“The need for clothing is every day,” he added.
If your congregation is ready to be part of this vital outreach ministry, click the flyer above or contact Sundene at 425-219-3493 or by email here.