Paula’s Closet provides free clothing each week in Macon

Volunteers say the program helps homeless and low-income residents with essentials every Tuesday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A local clothing center in Macon is providing free clothing and essentials each week to people in need, including those experiencing homelessness and low-income residents.

Every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., a clothing center by the name of Paula’s Closet gives away clothing, shoes, socks and undergarments to men and women in need.

Volunteer Ann Schultz says the idea started years ago with a woman who just wanted to help.

“Tthe idea started with a woman named Paula Mote, and in 1971 she started collecting clothes for homeless men and operated out of a closet in Mulberry United Methodist Church,” Schultz said.

Schultz says Paula’s Closet gives away items without charge.

“Our cliental are mostly homeless men who just don’t have anything, or a place to store their clothes,” she said. “So, we try to get them some good, rugged clothes. Then we have some women, some of them are homeless too, but most women are just lower income, and this gets them some really nice clothes, and lets them stretch their dollars a little bit.”

Schultz says in this economy, most people are struggling to stay afloat.

“We have people that just do not have the money to pay for their clothes,” she said. “And even the people that have a home or living in an apartment, sometimes they don’t have enough to pay for the groceries, and if we can help stretch that just a little bit, anything helps.”

Schultz says the closet is in need of all items, so before you throw out your used clothes, think of the less fortunate.

“Just think what you would want to have if you had to stay out on the streets in Macon all day,” she said. “What you would want to carry things in, what you want to wear, what you would need to make life more bearable. Then multiply that by every day and that’s what we need.”

If you would like to donate or receive help, the closet is located at Macon Outreach at Mulberry at 267 First Street.