More than clothing: Closet of Hope celebrates 48,000 stories of dignity and care
The Closet of Hope at Bloomington Covenant Church in Bloomington, MN, celebrated a significant milestone in September, welcoming its 48,000th guest since opening in 2012.
What began with a single small room at the church has grown into four rooms and a pantry for toiletries, serving people from 125 different countries. The ministry, co-directed by Dawn Anderson and Donna Moffett, has become a cornerstone of compassion and connection for the Bloomington and Richfield communities, providing essential support to those in need and fostering a sense of unity and care.
The Closet of Hope operates as a free clothing store, guided by its mission statement, “In the spirit of God’s love, we seek to care for others in a non-judgmental environment by providing clean, gently used clothing to people in need in our community.”
From the beginning, Anderson has viewed the ministry as a calling. In an interview with Northwest Conference News in 2012, she shared, “God kept bugging me about setting up a free clothing store, but I kept telling him I was too busy. Well, we all know you can’t say no to God, especially when he has something big in mind.”
That persistence has shaped more than a decade of service. What started as a few volunteers sorting donated garments has grown into a well-organized network of 35 to 40 volunteers, with 18 to 20 serving each week. Together they sort, restock and assist guests during monthly “shopping” events, where people in need can browse for free clothing, shoes, coats and household items.
Partnership is key to the Closet of Hope’s impact. The team collaborates closely with Arrive Ministries, Touchstone and local school social workers to support individuals facing economic challenges. They also collaborate with Bags of Hope, providing backpacks filled with essentials and clothing for individuals emerging from trafficking situations.
For Anderson and Moffett, every connection matters. Volunteers often note how the directors encourage a welcoming atmosphere where guests are treated with dignity and care.
“We see people come in with so many different stories,” Anderson said. “Sometimes they just need a coat; sometimes they need someone to listen. Either way, we want them to feel valued.”
When asked why Bloomington Covenant continues to support Closet of Hope, Pastor Kris Causton said without hesitation, “The Closet of Hope reflects the heart of Bloomington Covenant’s mission: we are committed to being good neighbors.”
The ministry’s influence reaches far beyond the church walls.
Director of Family Ministries Jess Hoffman added, “In Bloomington, Closet of Hope is always spoken about with positivity. That flows over to people having a positive view of our church.”
As temperatures drop and community needs rise, the Closet of Hope continues to rely on the generosity of the community. Donations of gently used clothing, coats, shoes and toiletries—as well as the time and effort of the volunteers—are what make each shopping event possible.
For more information about donation hours, volunteer opportunities or ways to give, visit www.bcov.org/closet-of-hope.
This article was written by Ginny Olson with the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI).