A Boutique Shopping Experience

LOCALLY SOURCED

A Boutique Shopping Experience

Linda Murphy contributed to this update on Repeat Boutique

THE CUSTOMERS

A homeless women came to Repeat Boutique for a warm blanket and rain gear. The volunteers who work at the boutique soon had her registered for its free shopping services and explained the three-month shopping rotation. Soon Rachel left, warm and clean, and arms full of all that she could fit in her car.

Three days later Rachel quietly entered through the door, wondering if she could shop again, because, well, she had a job interview. Our desk volunteer became her personal shopper and made sure she had three professional looking outfits. Rachel bounced out the door with a promise to keep us informed. Two days later, Rachel pushed open the door and exclaimed, “I got the job!” Her radiant face said it all.

A Syrian widow stopped by the store for her second visit, tired and downcast. A volunteer greeted her warmly as she took an empty basket and began to shop for herself and her teenaged son, still downcast. A volunteer met up with her in the household area, where she was looking at a Noritake dinner plate.

“Can I have this?” she asked.

“Certainly,” the volunteer replied, “and, look, there is an entire set here!” It was complete, with serving dishes and place settings. “Can you use a set?”

“May I really have them?” she asked timidly.

“God has seen you. God knows you and has freely provided what you need,” the volunteer answered. “He wants you to thrive in your new home in America.”

That volunteer was College Church member Linda Murphy, who began her volunteer work back in 1980 when she was a student at the Wheaton Graduate School. “I then shopped there as a missionary,” recalls Linda. She later established her own cleaning business, and her employees shopped there for a time. “And now that retirement is upon me, I can volunteer once again,” Linda says.

FREE FOR ALL

From missionaries who needed wedding garb for a grandson’s wedding to the new Ukrainian clients to women like Rachel and the widow, Repeat Boutique has a diverse client base. From its beginning 50 years ago, this

College Church ministry partner has provided full-time Christian workers and refugees with free clothing and household items. Recently, the boutique has welcomed clients referred by DuPage County services, PADS, ECFA, Caring Network, Outreach Ministries, Bridge Communities and other not-for-profit organizations.

Four years ago, Repeat Boutique moved to its present location on Gary Avenue, in an office complex that includes World Relief DuPage. As World Relief and county social services feel the load of fragile households, they refer families to Repeat Boutique for a year of free clothing. “Our pastors and church leaders can also refer families to us,” Linda points out.

Linda estimates that DuPage families and individuals make up about 30% of their shoppers, refugees about 25% and full-time Christian workers 40%. In July, Repeat Boutique saw an uptick of 36 new families shopping for clothing and household goods, and those new shoppers represented 38 language groups. By mid-August, a total of 156 families (47 new)—representing 596 individuals— shopped the boutique.

DON’T BE SHY

Linda thanks God for the donations that come into the Boutique. “We have goods to give away to newly arrived refugees.” And God continues to supply the clothes, the household goods as well as the financial resources (which includes quarterly support from the Board of Missions) needed for $5,600 monthly rent.

For Linda, her volunteers are as welcome as the shoppers. “Each member of the body of Christ can find a place for their giftedness in God’s purposes at the Boutique,” Linda says with her characteristic enthusiasm. “Volunteer at the sorting table by the back door or greet shoppers at the front desk. Come and laugh with us and grow as we serve our missionaries, our refugees and many DuPage County families. You will never regret giving one morning a week to Repeat Boutique.”

Whether you refer someone to Repeat Boutique, give financially, drop off goods or walk through its doors as a volunteer or shopper, you support a ministry that truly is the hands and feet of Jesus.