What does Back to School season and BSM have to do with each other?

Some Back-To-School Shopping Suggestions

For some BSM families the new school year has already begun. For others the year will begin just after Labor Day. One common factor that likely unites a number of us here at BSM is that there are still various items that need to be garnered for this fast approaching school year – school supplies, new clothes, the new cell phone to keep in closer touch… all the basics for this hurried, overscheduled world we all seem to be dealing with.

However, for many people who visit BSM throughout the week the end of August does not mark new beginnings. Their cycles are much more connected to the seasons and the weather. For them it is often a matter of getting through this day, or this week without being robbed, or becoming dehydrated during this late summer heat wave. Our guests survive with very few material things and very little by way of social service in the city. Yet there is one cycle though that many of our guests do experience. Each week they have the opportunity to visit our Clothing Closet up on the second floor near the Sunday School Room. This makes surviving in these harsh economic times a little less difficult.

All too often their visits have been brief because, well because frankly the pickin’s have been slim lately.

So, here are a few suggestions you might consider as you push that big red cart through Target, or the big blue one at Ross, or even as you stroll the aisles of Nordstrom’s. Why not pick up:

- an extra package or two of men’s and women’s underwear

- a pair of men’s pants (all sizes work, but probably some of the larger ones are better)

- art supplies for those who participate in therapeutic arts at BSM (markers, paint, paper)

- socks, sneakers, shoes for men and women

- hygiene items (travel size deodorant, shampoo and soap)

But maybe here is the best suggestion of all: why not buy a gift card from one of these stores? Just drop it into the basket during the worship service, or send it to our associate director of social services, Amy Carlson. You can be sure of this if you do: the card will be redeemed with very wise and practical purchases, and that our guests who visit the Clothing Closet will continue to be greeted with the dignity and hospitality they so richly deserve. And they may also be greeted with some new clothes that fit and are comfortable.

That’s a great way to begin any new year.

Questions? Curious about how this all works? Email our Associate Director of Social Services, Amy Carlson, at amy@broadstreetministry.org

For more information about how to help BSM extend radical hospitality to everyone, click here.