“This community is no exception. “If I shout that I need blankets, our parachute is full the next day,” says volunteer
When Betty Attar arrived in Innisfil to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter, the Clothing Depot had already been established.
But Attar, eager to blend in with her community, thought she could make her contribution.
“When I moved to Innisfil I wanted to volunteer, it’s something that has always been close to my heart,” she explains. “I saw the Innisfil Community Church posted something about the Soul Sisters group and the shopping evening. So I joined the Soul Sisters group (a women’s group affiliated with the church), I didn’t know what it was.”
She started working as a volunteer one day a week, going through donations and arranging clothing. She also got to know the community and met many people.
Six years later, Attar is the organization’s main volunteer, helping to provide clothing to community members who cannot afford it.
“I took it over and made some changes,” says the retired Toronto insurance broker. “I will continue to make changes and add hours.”
Initially, clothing was distributed through a monthly shopping evening, where customers could come and choose what they wanted free of charge. But demand continued to increase. And then the space was reduced when the food bank needed space.
Attar said it would quickly become chaotic with 75 people working through the room.
So shopping evenings were organized twice a month and were limited to 40 people, but customers are asked to only come once a month to ensure more people have access. Part of the job is to make sure there is enough to buy, Attar explains.
The program also responds to daily needs. Homeless people are coming in, along with new Canadians, women leaving relationships and people who work but don’t have enough money to clothe their relatives.
The Clothing Depot helps at least 160 people every month. Last year, 1,700 garbage bags full of clothing were distributed.
“This community is no exception. When I shout that I need blankets, our parachute is full the next day. It warms my heart to see the care of this community. I have never seen anything like it,” says Attar.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, donations stalled, she says, but donations have increased again.
The Clothing Depot hosts its annual SOCKtober campaign with the support of the Rotary Club of Innisfil to stock up on socks, gloves, underwear and hats in anticipation of seasonal needs.
There is always a need for basics such as socks and underwear, and when winter approaches, gloves and hats often come in handy. At the moment there is a specific need for men’s clothing such as jackets, jeans and track pants, but also for winter and work boots.
Attar encourages donations, but emphasizes the need for clothing. Toys and electronics are not part of the program.
And while the program runs year-round, it is closed during the month of December, allowing Attar to work on Christmas hampers, participate in the toy drive and host free Christmas Eve dinners.
Attar has embraced life in Innisfil, making her way here via Toronto, Montreal and Collingwood.
“It was great. I love it here. I also met my fiancé at church,” she says.
The clothing depot is run from Innisfil Community Church, where Attar has also found a connection.
Attar was raised in the Jewish faith and attended a private Hebrew school and her father was a founder of a synagogue in Toronto. But the church in Innisfil drew her in.
After her ordination, she attended Bible school and services through the Soul Sisters group.
“A few years ago, on Christmas Eve, Pastor Steve (Bradley) asked if anyone wanted to come to Christ and my hand naturally went up,” she explains, adding that she was baptized the following Easter Sunday. ‘But I’m still Jewish. I understand both.
“I help all kinds of people, it doesn’t matter what religion is. It’s all about the heart.”
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