In April 2023, Marsha Bilbrey and John McIntyre presented to the Leadership Board the possibility of starting a clothes bank specifically for children. The idea was to help parents/guardians provide for their school-age children with clothes, shoes, accessories and more--new-born through high school.
A name for the clothes bank? They decided on Little Angels Attic, in memory of Ms. Flo Mitchell, retired elementary school teacher and deceased member of Christ UMC. Flo was an institution in the Houston County area and is always remembered for her love of children and her devotion to helping children in need. Flo also helped direct the cherub choir back in the 1990s and early 2000s, calling this group “My Little Angels”; thus the name Little Angels Attic.
Starting with literally nothing but two rooms – one for the clothes and one as a workroom, Marsha and her husband, Steve, and John and his wife, Sharon, started putting the plan together. Little Angels Attic opened on Tuesday August 15, 2023, not knowing until opening day that this date is Flo’s birthday. Truly, a sign from God! The attic has expanded to include a baby section with diapers, bedding items, baby bottles, baby powder and more, along with jewelry, a section for socks, underwear, and tights as well as another section for personal care items – hair care, toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap/body wash, body lotions, and deodorant.
We accept donations of good used or new clothing and money to help us buy needed fixtures and supplies. Each piece of donated clothing is inspected for cleanliness, appropriate attire and condition and only those items that meet these three conditions are used for LAA.
Little Angels Attic is open on the first Tuesday of each month from 2:00 – 4:00 and on special occasions. In December children and parents with children were able to pick out free toys. In the past, free Easter baskets were given to those who came and last year we gave out 13 free Thanksgiving meals, complete with a full turkey breast and all the trimmings, with these trimmings supplied by our church’s children.
In November 2024, LAA added the Blessing Box to its ministry to help give our homeless a little something to eat and drink. It works on the “honor system” and is stocked by LAA workers and some of the church staff, as needed. We are always in need of food and drink, especially bottled water, but we also accept cash donations to buy needed items when our supply gets low.
The ministry is growing and is maintaining its mission – to serve and nurture children.