4 minute read
MARIONVILLE CLOTHING BANK
Faith in what’s to come
It’s astonishing what a small group of volunteers can accomplish, and the Marionville Clothing Bank is one shining example in Southwest Missouri.
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Marionville resident Bruch Schatzer has been called the heart of the community in Marionville, operating the clothing bank and the Marionville Hangout, a place for local youngsters to gather after school and for families to host special events like birthdays or quinceañeras.
The Marionville Clothing Bank is more than a thrift store or a clothing bank. In the old American Legion building in downtown Marionville, the clothing bank houses everything from dress clothes for residents who may need to dress up for a job interview, to toys for those struggling to provide Christmas for their youngsters, and it’s all available free of charge thanks to Schatzer’s efforts and the aid of a group of volunteers.
“We take just about everything, except bedding or furniture, we just don’t have enough space,” Bruce said.
He explained that the Marionville Clothing Bank has generated a reputation throughout the region and attracts people in need from all over the region.
“We have people coming in from Springfield to Joplin,” he said. “If someone comes in looking for something, we can help them find it. We have clothes, tools, light fixtures, you name it.”
But Bruce doesn’t just wait for people to come to him – he tries to be pro-active and find those in need first.
“We partner with the Pregnancy Resource Center in Republic, and we send certain things to the churches when we know they’re sending out missionaries, and I work with people who are doing community service for Barry County, Greene County, Marionville – just about anywhere,” he said. “I think I know just about every campsite (local homeless people use) in the area.”
Operating the Hangout and clothing bank has been a labor of love that Bruce took on after he retired.
“I retired in 2007, and I’ve been doing this the last 10 years,” he said. “It started out as nothing, but a third of my retirement has gone into this. I’ve worked hard my whole life, but when you retire and look at how you want to spend your time, it becomes a heart issue. Where do your compassions lie?”
While many of us struggle day-today to find our true passions, and as Bruce says, compassions for the Marionville resident, made community service a clear calling.
Bruce Schatzer has all the room he needs to collect donations for local families, however the roof of the old Masonic Lodge that houses the clothing bank is in dire need of repairs and Bruce said he is relying on volunteers and donations to get the building in order.
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“It’s not about me,” he said. “I’m used to working and organizing. What it’s about is Jesus Christ. Being rich isn’t what it’s all about.”
In fact, for Bruce, it’s about community and the people around him who are in need, particularly the children.
“You are never going to be able to reach a child without some knowledge about what’s happening with their family,” he said, explaining that the clothing bank welcomes everyone. “There’s no judgment here. We help addicts and the homeless because if they get what they need, then, hopefully there’s some left over for the children. Youth help build the community, and we need to get beyond the ‘me, mine and no more’ mentality.”
Schatzer said the clothing bank and Hangout are primarily funded by him, with some donations and grants coming in. But he’s hoping to see more involvement from the community in the form of donations, volunteers and other aid.
“Whatever needs to get done gets done, but right now I need some construction people who can come in and donate some work,” he said.
The old Masonic, building, which houses the clothing bank, is in dire need of a new roof, with daylight shining through some holes. Over the past year, Bruce said he and some volunteers have been able to band-aid solutions together to keep stock dry, but ultimately, a new roof is needed, and sooner rather than later.
He said another goal is to get the clothing bank self-sustaining so he isn’t pouring all his retirement money into the organization.
“I want the organization to stand on its own two feet,” he said, adding that he knows he won’t be around forever, and would like to see the clothing bank continue on after him.
“It’s all dependent on what the Lord allows,” he said. “This has all been built without a lot of following, so I know someone is going to come on board to fix that roof. Giving doesn’t have a season and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.” n
