Four months ago, Christ the King Anglican Church in Decherd, Tennessee partnered with St. Pauly Textile to host a clothing donation shed on our church property. This simple addition has already proven to be a meaningful way to serve our wider community while also providing a modest stream of passive income for the parish. St. Pauly Textile collects donated clothing, shoes, and household textiles, redistributing usable items and recycling others, helping reduce waste and extend the life of these goods.

The partnership has been easy to implement and requires very little ongoing effort from the church. While providing the shed, signage, and advertising materials for free, St. Pauly Textile also manages the placement, maintenance, insurance, and regular collection of donations. They also compensate the parish based on the volume received. At Christ the King, we have averaged approximately $125 per month, funds that directly support our ministry and mission. Just as importantly, the donation shed has increased visibility in the community, drawing new visitors onto our property and reinforcing our presence as a place of generosity and service. If someone drops off trash or non-accepted items, St. Pauly, upon notification, also sends someone to collect those items at no charge to us. For instance, we have had someone drop off broken furniture and within 24 hours it was taken care of. The only ongoing effort requested by St. Pauley, is that someone from the church check on the shed weekly and move bags of donated clothing away from the chute, and bag any loose items that were donated.

I will admit that at first, I was a bit skeptical. Not that St. Pauly Textile was legitimate, but that anyone would really use it and that it would provide opportunities for outreach. I was wrong on both counts. Each day we average about 5-6 people from the community dropping off clothing and we have also had those from the community who are in need reach out for clothing. St. Pauly allows and encourages us go through the clothing and give it away in those cases. For parishes seeking a low-maintenance opportunity to engage their community, encourage stewardship, and generate supplemental income, this model is well worth considering. It is a practical, tangible way to extend the church’s witness beyond Sunday mornings, meeting everyday needs while supporting the work of the Gospel.