Wouldn't it be great if you could raid someone else's closet and grab some "new to you" clothes? Thanks to Ruhl's United Methodist Church, you can. The church, 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim, will hold its annual God's Clothing Closet event in its gym on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26, 27 and 28. Thursday and Friday hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. by appointment only and will be limited to 40 shoppers per time slot. To reserve a shopping time for Aug. 26 or 27, call Barb at 717-201-7566 and leave a message. Saturday's hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon, and no appointment is needed.

This is the 21st year for the event, which features free clothing for sizes infant through 5X as well as shoes, accessories and household items such as kitchenware.

"It's open to everybody. We don't look for need," said Kris Gray, team leader of the event. "Everyone is welcome."

Gray explained that the inspiration for the giveaway came from another service project of the church. For years, church members collected clothing to donate to a mission in Appalachia, but the expense of sending the clothing added up. When Gray started talking to local families that participated in a meal giveaway at the church, she realized the church could make an impact in its own community. "I asked the families coming in, 'What else do you need?' and they said, 'We need clothes for our children,'" she recalled. "I thought, 'Why are we sending clothes away when there is a need right here?'"

A bag limit per person will be set on some of the most widely sought-after items such as infant and children's clothes, but otherwise, shoppers are free to browse and pick up what they need, Gray said.

"Everything is sorted by size," she stated. "We get a fair amount of fun stuff too - tuxedos, men's suits, prom dresses, wedding gowns, leather coats. We never know what we're going to get."

Church members will also have Bibles and devotional materials to give away at the event, along with grab-and-go snacks at the exit.

Gray noted that the event is a church-wide effort, adding, "The whole church pitches in and helps. We have ladies who love to sort the clothing. We have people who make the food. Our church is so good about volunteering for this."

Donations of clothing, accessories and household goods will be accepted during the week of the event, beginning on Monday, Aug. 23, and may be left outside the church under the carport. Gray emphasized that only necessary household items such as pots and pans should be donated and that no furniture will be accepted. Clean linens and towels will also be accepted. Shoppers are welcome to bring nonperishable food to the event to donate to the Manheim Central Food Pantry, but donations are not required.

Gray encourages anyone with a need to come to God's Clothing Closet.

"Leave your wallet at home," she stated. "We didn't pay for anything we're giving away. We're just passing on the blessing."