Church clothes neighbourhood with compassion
CALGARY, AB—The aptly named Thread Shed is weaving together a wardrobe for Calgary's less fortunate.
Founded in the fall of 2008 the Thread Shed is owned by the city, but run by Bethany Chapel. It opens every every spring and fall to provide clothing for those who can't afford designer threads.
"We are in partnership with the City of Calgary Neighbourhood Services and the housing complex, but we supply the goods," says Heather Webber, Bethany's community development pastor.
Webber came up with the idea when she noticed children at one of Bethany's garage sales who were in need of clothing. "I started to look around the community and priced out what the rent would be for space, if we were to have a thrift store," she says. It was more than the chapel could afford.
But a social worker who works for the city of Calgary offered the church a garage-sized shed in a housing complex close to the church. The city painted the shed's interior, installed shelving and attached new doors. Webber put out the word that they were looking for gently used and clean clothes to sell.
"In the spring and fall we ask for kids' clothing, and in the winter months we collect adult clothing, bedding, coats and jackets and boots," says Webber. Hand-knitted scarves and hats are regularly donated by local seniors.
The thrift store, run by church volunteers, charges one dollar per item. "At the beginning of the year we have a ministry fair, where people sign up to sort clothes or run the shed," explains Webber, who also oversees three or four community dinner nights during the winter, at which guests can purchase clothing.
"The Thread Shed has really helped our family," says Ajullo Obuyi who lives nearby. "It helps save money and we get good quality clothing for our kids."
Selma Nisar, an immigrant from Pakistan, also relies on the shed to clothe her three children ages seven, five and two. "It's cheap and good quality," she says.
The shed also provides a space where Nisar can socialize with her neighbours over a cup of coffee, as well as benefiting from the church's toy-lending library, homework club, preschool, ESL conversational classes, food depot and Let's Talk—a program addressing Canadian culture, health issues, school interviews and parenting.
Webber believes caring for the marginalized is one of the Church's greatest callings. "When a church pools its gifts and strengths, it can welcome many people, and in so doing, give them self-confidence and a newfound hope," she says.
"The Thread Shed is a gathering thread for families in the neighbourhood. It is important, because we are actually letting people see the Church in action—being the hands of Jesus," she says.
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