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Grace of the Caring Closet
 The petite, dark-haired (“natural, not dyed”), eightyish woman looked fashionably smart in her red jacket, black slacks, and shell-white blouse. West Shore’s Caring Closet had outfitted her “except for my underwear, which I would get here if it were in its original package,” she volunteers, laughing.
We were sitting amidst hand-me-downs in the overstuffed Caring Closet with Geneva Ziegler and a woman (we’ll call her Grace) who has been both a one-time worker and an ongoing customer of the ministry. Grace had agreed to our request for an interview. We wanted folks at West Shore to meet a community neighbor they rarely or never see but who sees God’s love in us.
As we set up for the interview, Geneva retrieved coffee and Grace opened a holiday tin she brought, filled with dunkers. Dunkers, Grace explained, are Toll House cookies that turn out hard but become soft and tasty when you dunk them in hot coffee. Hardness turned soft – that’s much like Grace’s life.
Letter written by Grace’s granddaughter for a school assignment when she was about 12 years old:
“She has a fiery personality and a bright spirit. To me she’s a kind, warm, fuzzy blanket that comforts me when I’m upset. My grandmother is an incredibly strong woman with the memories and emotional scars to prove it.”
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Caring Closet in the News
 West Shore's Caring Closet, under the long-term and faithful direction of Geneva Zielgler and her team of volunteers, was recognized in an October 8 article in the Carlisle Sentinel. Missions Pastor Ian Campbell was quoted, saying: "So often there is a powerlessness felt by those who are in need. If we treat this as a service to them, it perpetuates that feeling. Instead, we really want to welcome people as equals, as members of our community.” Link to the article here. |
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Serving 
