March 28, 2024

PCM Clothing Closet welcoming patrons at new location

The PCM Clothing Closet has found a new home in a well-known location. The non-profit is now located on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City.

“I’m a member of the First Reformed Church and I knew what this space was and I knew they were only using it one night every two weeks (for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes),” organizer Scott DeVries said. “It was sort of a, if we need to move it is not ideal because of the stairs, but if nothing else came available, I approached them and asked, if I have to, it is heated, it is a better option than what I have now, can we talk. They were kind enough, the FCA is going to move in with the youth room, which then opened this up so we could be up here.”

The clothing closet, which was previously located in a city building at 801 W. Second St., needed to find a location after the Prairie City City Council voted to no longer allow occupancy in the building as of Jan. 1. The council cited safety issues including no water, heat and possible mold. It has also had multiple instances where holes were found in the roof and needed frequent repairs.

The new space already has advantages over the last building including a better layout and a consistent heat source. There are also bathrooms available at the location and a large parking lot.

“Here, we’re at almost 68 degrees. It is much better,” DeVries said. “Floor space wise they are about the same but the difference is this one is all 420 square feet in a big box. The other one had a long alley this way and a long alley this way and a cutout piece in the middle, so it didn’t flow or easily walk through the space. This, it just looks bigger but it is because it is better laid out.”

The clothing closet team as also been able to make a few changes to the display of the clothing, making it easier for people to comb through with more vertical appearance rather than shelving.

“We added more racks for the kids clothing,” DeVries said. “We switched up some things to have more hanging space and get more things off of shelves. It helps to not have to fold and put things on the shelves every night.”

By moving to the Family Life Center, which is owned by the Prairie City First Reformed Church, DeVries said he is starting to have conversations with the church and affiliated organizations about the future of the clothing closet.

“It also gave us an opportunity to talk with the Prairie City Ministerial Society, as well. Just to take a look at what is this organization doing, how can they support us,” DeVries said. “It also gave us an opportunity to have bigger discussions with the food bank staff to say, we know where you are with your facility, we are going to need some better solution in the next year, let’s talk. How can we better support the larger community now that we have an opportunity rearrange or reshuffle things.”

The clothing closet is open from 5 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month. Those looking to donate clothing can also do so during those hours. For more information about the clothing closet, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com