Although the coat giveaway for area men, women, and children held at The Factory was not announced far in advance, cars were lined up two abreast in the Together Community Center parking lot a half-hour before the event started on Feb. 13. Some waiting in line were also there for the Fresh Express grocery giveaway, held monthly at The Factory, but a number had come to protect themselves or their children from the cold with a new coat.

The coats, which were given away until 2 p.m., were provided through a partnership between The Factory and the Blessings Store, a clothing bank ministry of Limeville United Methodist Church, 5783 Limeville Road, Gap. The store is a project of Limeville pastor Jim Brashear and Jeff Markle, who travels from the Allentown area to oversee the clothing bank that was started at the church in late 2020.

"We have partnered with the school districts," said Markle, who noted that the church has been in contact with both Pequea Valley and Octorara Area school districts. "We have sent out emails to parents telling them we have clothing for families in need," he added.

The clothing ministry has roots in Bethany Church, located in Allentown, where Brashear was pastor at the time the ministry started. "It was his vision 15 years ago to open a store in downtown Allentown for homeless and those in need," said Markle. When Markle retired, he took over the Allentown store, partnering with the Burlington Coat Factory in the area to hold a coat drive each October and November. "I would give out 500 coats in the Lehigh Valley between November and January (annually)," said Markle, who noted Burlington customers could bring a clean coat in good condition to donate to receive a discount from the store. Customers could also purchase a coat to donate. Markle said about 20% of the collected coats are gently used, and the rest are purchased new. The 250 coats collected to be given away at The Factory were donated at the Trexlertown Burlington Coat Factory store between Thanksgiving of 2020 and Jan. 9, 2021.

Markle said that he is at the Blessings Store at the Limeville Church on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. "If people can't make it at that time, we can make arrangements," Markle said, adding, "We follow all the social distancing guidelines and (require) masks." Only one family is served in the store at a time. "We are hoping we will be able to help families in need," said Markle. In addition to clothing, the store offers a limited selection of free hygiene items for adults, teens, children, and infants.

Those wishing to visit the store may call 610-349-3458 to arrange a time to shop. To learn more about the church, visit http://www.limevillechurch.org. Specific questions may be answered at 717-442-4010 or limevilleumc@gmail.com.