11-03-2025
Clothes closet at Powell church expands to help meet growing community need
POWELL, Tenn. (WATE) — More and more places of worship around East Tennessee are serving the needs of their community by opening clothes closets. One church in Powell has rapidly expanded its space to meet the growing need.
The Clothes Closet at Powell Methodist started in a small space inside the church more than 10 years ago. However, as the need among families in the area increased, the church decided to move its closet to another building on the church property. Today, the closet space is like a small department store.
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Volunteers start gathering and sorting newly donated clothes about a week before the doors open to the public at Powell Methodist Church's Community Clothes Closet. The program collects and gives out clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women and children twice a month. The clothing comes largely from individual donors.
The Clothes Closet started slowly more than a decade ago, but in the last four years, the program's director said the need has accelerated.
'Post COVID we started August of '21 back up and running. It's grown a lot since then,' said Sherry Scircle. 'We are blessed with a lot of donations. What we always need more of are men's clothing and children, especially boys.'
When the doors open on alternating Thursdays and Saturdays, dozens of people move into the church's auxiliary building to go shopping.
'I think it is wonderful. The volunteers that work here give their time and make it so we can maybe have a little extra something to wear. I look for mostly like sweaters, maybe sometimes I find a pair of pants, shirts,' said Pat Franklin.
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At first, the program served those who found themselves in need and lived close to the church in North Knox County. But now people come from Anderson and Campbell counties as well.
'I've had several people this year that have come through because they have seen the sign and have stopped in and said I never thought I'd be in this position,' said Scircle.
'It's clean. You don't find that everywhere,' said Princess Harrison. 'Well, I'm looking for some summer clothes.'
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'All the people need to do is come in and sign up with us. I'm glad that our church has this mission. It's great to be a part of it and see it grow,' said Scircle.
'I thank you God for these people because they are doing a really, really good job and I really appreciate what they do for other people,' said Ellie, another shopper.
The program can always use donations of men's and children's shoes as well as socks and underwear of all sizes since a variety of sizes are in constant demand. Many shoppers said they enjoy the hospitality received from volunteers.
'You go into the stores and they don't say 'thank you, come back.' Here they say 'Come back', they appreciate you,' said Ricky Jeffers.
'It gives me a lot of joy to be able to provide for those people that are in need,' said Scircle.
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The Clothes Closet at Powell Methodist can always use donations of clothing since a variety of sizes are in constant demand. Sherry Scircle says the more variety they have, the better they can serve everyone who comes through the doors.
The Clothes Closet at Powell Methodist on Emory Road will open this Thursday at 5 p.m. and again on Saturday at 9 a.m. through noon. The place is filling a big need in the community.
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