The Knox Clothing Hamper in Elora has reached its capacity for the Syrian refugee clothing drive and has run out of storage room at Knox Elora Presbyterian Church.
“We don’t know where to put it,” said Jean Jackson, one of the organizers. “We’ve got it in boxes in the front lobby of the church.
“We’re looking for a temporary space right now that’s close to the church just so we can have it out because people can’t get it if they can’t see it.”
For the first half of February the hamper held a clothing drive for incoming Syrian refugee families that will be sponsored by Under the Same Sky, Faith Lutheran and Project Welcome.
While Faith Lutheran already has a sponsorship family in Elora, the other two groups are still waiting to hear about which refugees they will be sponsoring.
“We don’t know when we’re going to get the Syrian families,” Jackson said. “They’ll call you and tell you they’re coming the next day sometimes.”
So the Knox group wanted to hold the clothing drive early to ensure it is prepared.
Jackson thanked community members for their donations but said the hamper will no longer be accepting large quantity donations because the storage space is at capacity.
“It’s awesome,” Jackson said.
“I mean they’d still want to bring it in and I’m stopping them because you can only take so much.”
Those wishing to contribute can donate baby and toddler clothing or make a monetary donation to the church, Jackson said.
Additionally, donations to the Knox Clothing Hamper, separate from the refugee clothing drive, will still be accepted.
The hamper has been running for the past year and offers free clothes to community members in need. Its operating hours are on Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm.
Once the Syrian refugees have chosen some clothing the hamper drive clothing will be open to the rest of the community.
