Church robbed, seeking donations to restock

EPHRATA - A church that provides clothing and food to homeless people is taking donations, trying to rebuild its inventory after an August burglary.

Ephrata Foursquare Church suffered a burglary at the storage unit where they stored winter clothing and a lot of their supplies, according to church members. The thief stole and sold some of the clothes and non-perishable food in storage, along with stealing a bunch of toiletries and other items.

The church needs blankets and sleeping bags, warm winter socks for men and women, coats and hoodies for women, sizes extra large and larger. They need men's hoodies in all sizes and men's coats, size extra large and bigger, church members said. Gloves and hand warmers for men and women, in all sizes, are needed as well.

The program also needs wash cloths, combined shampoo/conditioner, lip balm, toilet paper, diapers, deodorant, Sun laundry soap (powdered and the small boxes), sanitary wipes and hand lotions (small bottles, church members said). Food should be items that will taste OK without being heated and should have a pop-top opening, or one that doesn't need a can opener. That's things like prepared chili, pasta and spaghetti, ready-to-eat soups, crackers and breakfast bars, church members said. The church also is looking for reusable mesh grocery bags.

Donations can be left at the church, 716 Basin St. NW, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Church volunteers will pick up items as well. People who want to donate can contact the church, 509-754-5205, during business hours.