VAN BUREN — A new effort to help women in need, led by personnel at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, is underway.
Through Nov. 30, the Sheriff’s Office’s Women’s Clothing Drive is accepting donations of gently used clothing.
“This is actually the first year that we’ve ever done it,” said Desaray Ganz, a criminal investigator with the Sheriff’s Office. “We do see a lot of people who are in poverty every day. We saw a need.
“Winter’s coming up, and it’s hard,” she added.
The Hand to Hand Foundation of Alma is among community groups partnering with the Sheriff’s Office. Hand To Hand administers resources to people in need through food pantries, soup kitchens and more.
Mariann Yates, administrative assistant for the group, said Hand To Hand will donate new clothes to contribute to the Women’s Clothing Drive.
People who live in rural areas in Crawford County, in particular, will benefit from the donations of clothing. Yates said adults whose families are struggling often go without basics so that their children have what they need.
“They often don’t get for themselves, but yet they still need clothes to try to have employment,” Yates said. “We definitely live in a food desert, and clothes are something that’s essential too. There’s not food stamps for clothes.”
‘TIP OF THE ICEBERG’
In October, Ganz suggested the idea of a clothing drive to Sheriff Daniel Perry, who encouraged the effort, she said. So far, she estimates that a couple hundred pieces of clothing have been collected.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg here right now,” she said Tuesday, standing in a room at the Sheriff’s Office with several stacks and bags of clothing.
Before Dec. 1, donations can be dropped off at the Sheriff’s Office, 4235 Alma Highway, east of Van Buren. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ganz said after Dec. 1, all donations will be laundered and organized. People in need can select from among the donated items Dec. 5 or 6 at the Crawford County Department of Emergency Management, 1820 Chestnut St. in Van Buren.
“It’ll be completely free. People can take as much as they want,” Ganz said.
Whatever clothing is left over will be in turn donated to local charitable organizations, including those for pregnant women; no items will go unused, Ganz said.
“What they can’t use we’re gonna give back to the jail so that when people get released if they don’t have clothing,” the office can offer some, she said. “Everything is 100% going to be used.”
For Ganz and like-minded co-workers at the Sheriff’s Office, this is an endeavor driven by a wish to help others.
“I just have a big heart to give back,” said Ganz, who has worked at the Sheriff’s Office for seven years.
Already, Ganz is looking toward next year and repeating the Women’s Clothing Drive. She said the gathering of donations may include children’s clothing then.
Organizers also are seeking donations for future drives to offer toiletries, too, she noted.
