Clothing bank awarded

NORWALK — The local civic group "100 Women Making a Difference" marked a significant milestone last week. The Huron County organization celebrated "more than a quarter million dollars donated to local nonprofits," according to a news release from the organization. The group also chose the Clothing Bank of Norwalk to be the recipient of this round of charitable funding, the second time it has been chosen. Exactly how much funding the clothing bank receives will be announced at the next 100 Women meeting. The 100 Women group gathers quarterly to evaluate pitches from area nonprofits and then choose the organization to make donations to. The women then write a check directly to the winning charity. Donations can range from $15,000 to $18,000, according to the release. This quarter, along with the Clothing Bank, Norwalk Arts Center and Future Innovators were the other groups nominated at a July 9 meeting. Brandi Metzger, president of the board for the Clothing Bank, represented that nonprofit. "Our mission is simple, but powerful," she said. "We want to make sure that everyone has adequate clothes." Metzger said the clothing bank gave out more than 8,300 bags of clothes, shoes and household linens last year to 9,400 people, but also focused on treating their customers with respect. "We serve people with kindness, dignity and respect," she said. The need for this year that Metzger outlined for consideration was new flooring for the entire space the clothing bank rents. She said the floor is bare concrete, which isn't very inviting and isn't comfortable for the volunteers who work there sorting the clothes and managing the operation. The United Fund covers costs for rent and utilities, Metzger said, but the board was looking at ways to raise money to improve their services by offering a more inviting place for volunteers to work and residents to shop. Metzger said initial estimates for adding laminate flooring is "between $15,000 and $18,000." All donations to Clothing Bank of Norwalk are used, whether as clothing or recycled into a new product, according to Metzger. "If (clothes) are not in presentable shape to be used as clothing, they are given to other groups that could use them," she said. "They donate some to another nonprofit, Pumphouse Ministeries, which sends them overseas to be used as insulation in buildings."