Limeville's Blessings, a store that will offer free clothing, hygiene products, basic household items and children's toys, will open at Limeville United Methodist Church (UMC) on Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Free ice pops will be provided that day, and there will also be a gift basket fundraiser and children's activities. "July 16 is our grand opening where people can come and check out the store," said church member Rachael Woodring. "If you bring any kind of donation for the store, whether it's toothpaste or loose change, you can get into a drawing to throw a pie in the face of pastor Dan Hall."

After the preview event, the store's first day of operation will be Tuesday, July 26. Hours will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and the first Saturday of each month from noon to 4 p.m. The store is also open by appointment.

The Blessings store includes clothing for men, women and children from newborn up to teen sizes; an assortment of shoes in all sizes; clothes for men and women that are suitable for a job interview; baby equipment, including car seats; household goods like blankets, towels and sheets; and personal care items, including toilet paper, shampoo and toothpaste.

"Every week, we get bags and bags of donations from Fashion Sense, Ephrata," Woodring noted. "They have given us the majority of the baby gear, toys, baby clothes and women's clothes."

Woodring emphasized that anyone in need of assistance is welcome to visit the store, and no proof of income or residency is required. "We feel that God is using us to be able to do this ministry and that we should trust that the people coming in truly need it," she said.

Woodring has spent the last several months sorting through donations and displaying the items along with the help of church member Melanie Shivery. "Before COVID, there was a gentleman who kind of started the store but not nearly on this level. Once a year, we did a giveaway," said Woodring. "I had this idea to open the store, and it (grew) from there. Then Melanie jumped on board. We are both moms, and we know how expensive it is to get kids' clothes."

The store is located at the church but has its own private entrance. Shivery created a sign that hangs in the window of the Blessings store, which includes the church's mission statement, "Obey God. Love Jesus and Make a Difference."

Even though the store is not officially open, it has already helped people in need. "In the month of June, we already had seven people come in for appointments. Yesterday was a family of 10," said Shivery.

Donations for the store are accepted during operating hours or by appointment. For more information about donating items or to schedule an appointment to visit the store, email limevillesblessings@gmail.com or send a message at http://www.facebook.com/LimevillesBlessingsStore.

Limeville UMC, located at 5783 Limeville Road, Gap, meets for Sunday services at 10:15 a.m. More details about the church are available by calling 717-442-4010 or visiting http://www.facebook.com/LimevilleUMC or http://www.limevillechurch.org.