ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607290013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
Two New River Valley programs that provide free or low-cost garments to thousands of needy citizens reopened their doors this week after being out of operation for several months.
In the Radford Clothing Bank's case, the downtime was used to remodel its Norwood Street shop.
And the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program's clothes bank was closed while the organization searched for a new location.
Clients were waiting at the door Thursday morning when the Montgomery County program reopened at 755 Roanoke St. in Christiansburg, in the ground floor of an old textile manufacturing building.
Both programs report dramatic increases in the demand for their services over the past several years. The number of people served annually by the Radford Clothing Bank more than doubled from 1991 to 1995.
Officials cite two reasons for the increase in users. Thora Jervey, chairman of the Radford facility, said "word-of-mouth" generates more clients. Melanie Collins, manager of the Montgomery County program, said she's served many new clients who are experiencing economic hard times for the first time.
Similar rules apply to both nonprofit programs. Users are asked to pay a nominal fee for items of apparel if they can afford it. Indigent clients can get clothes for free if they obtain a voucher from a social services agency first.
The clothes and some of the operating revenue come from donations. Both programs are also supported by the United Way.
Radford's Clothes Bank, which began in 1981, is also underwritten by funds and volunteers from 12 local churches.
Its downtown Radford location was closed throughout May and June for some interior re-decorations. New paint and some carpentry work have made the building much brighter and space-efficient, Jervey said.
A Radford University interior design class helped to plan the renovation. Students also painted a wall mural that decorates an area of the bank for children's clothes.
Jervey said the Radford Clothing Bank has a secure location in an old storefront under an agreement with the building's owner, Theodore Carr. A Christiansburg native and a graduate of the former Christiansburg Institute who now lives in Washington, D.C., Carr has pledged to hold the monthly rent at $350.
The Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program's clothes bank has had a more difficult time finding a home. It closed several months ago when its lease on a small Roanoke Street building expired.
Negotiations took several months, but ended with the clothes bank moving across the street to the old building that has housed several firms, including Imperial Reading and Health-Tex.
The building is presently owned by Montgomery County's Industrial Development Authority and partially leased to two computer-related firms. The clothes bank will occupy basement space on the ground floor of the building's eastern side.
Collins and several volunteers have worked hard over the past week or so to ready the space. She said it's Spartan but adequate for the program's needs.
The Rev. Harry B. Scott III, president of the Emergency Assistance Program, said he's grateful to County Administrator Betty Thomas and to the county Industrial Development Authority for allowing the clothes bank to relocate. Terms of the lease are still being negotiated, he said.
How long the clothes bank remains there is uncertain. The county has applied for a $2.8 million federal grant to renovate the building. If that application is successful, the clothes bank may have to move again.
In the meantime, Collins said she's glad to be back open, even if the clothes closet needs more racks and shelves to display apparel. Donations of cooler-weather clothes for children and children's shoes are also needed and may be brought to the site.
Hours of operation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Aug. 26, the operation will shift to 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and Fridays.
A single parent of four children who was homeless four years ago, Collins said she felt uncomfortable during the time the clothes bank was closed.
"I know what it's like. It's the most stressful thing, not to have decent clothes for your family, particularly for school kids," she said.
Radford's Clothing Bank needs donations of underwear and large-sized clothing for men and women, Jervey said. Donors are asked to bring clothing in good condition to the shop at 1121 Norwood St. during operating hours, which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Clothes Bank plans to run three successful programs again this year: a back-to-school garment project called August Kids, a cold-weather program called Coats for Kids and The Stork Exchange, a project that collects and loans maternity clothes and infant apparel.
Both programs say they welcome donations of money and clothing and also volunteer time. Anyone can shop at their stores but needy clients are their primary constituents.
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. Thora Jervey (foreground), chairmanby CNBof the Radford Clothing Bank, Queenie Shelor (left) and Winona
Shelor go over the inventory at their new location. The mural was
painted by Radford University's Interior Design
class students. color.