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Help outreach center help the community

By Sarah Shurge at a different parish,” Boertje.
“Our first priority is the people Boertje had been with her hus-
that are coming through the door band since 1980, and they always
and helping them,” said Lynn volunteered and gave back. After her
Boertje. husband’s passing in June 2023,
Boertje is life-long Wayne resi- Boertje decided to volunteer all of
dent, has attended St. Mary Parish, her free time to volunteer work,
Wayne her entire life, and volunteers which includes the clothing bank at
at St. Mary Community Outreach the Outreach Center.
Center. “There are days that I walk out
St. Mary Parish, Wayne is the old- with happy tears that I've been able
est Catholic parish in western Wayne to help somebody. That's what it's all
County, founded in 1862. The St. about,” said Boertje.
Mary Community Outreach Center In order for St. Mary Community
opened on September 3, 2003. Outreach Center to be able to con-
The Outreach Center hosts the tinue helping the community, it
Food Depot and the Open Closet needs your help through donations:
Clothing Bank. clothing, food, or monetary.
“The center services people in If you’d like to donate clothing
Wayne, Westland, and Canton areas. items, there is an extreme need for
It helps with food and clothing. It the following items: plus size men's
helps those that are in dire need,” clothing, larger men’s shoes, and
said Malynda Garcia, St. Mary Com- kids’ clothing (6 month - 2 years).
munity Outreach Center director. However, all clothing items are wel-
The Food Depot is open 9 a.m. - come.
11:45 a.m. Monday - Friday, where Volunteer manager of the Open Closet, Lynn Boertje, and Malynda Garcia, Director If you’d like to donate food items,
people can receive a basket of food. there is a need for non-perishable
Those in need can call to make of the Outreach Center in the food pantry. foods.
an appointment, or brand-new fami- the racks. They have options from 2023. You can drop off clothing dona-
lies/individuals can just show up so clothing, shoes, bedding, small “My favorite part is seeing people tions in the parking lot off Sims St.
they can get put into the system. household items, kitchen appliances, that are truly in need - the happiness during the clothing bank hours, and
Clients will need to bring their ID kids’ toys, car seats, luggage, etc. It they get from the help they need,” you can drop off food donations to
and two pieces of mail to verify their all depends on what items people said Garcia. the parking lot off 2nd St.
address (if they are new), including have donated. St. Mary Community Outreach “We appreciate everything the city
every member of the household, and Clients are allowed two visits per Center is completely volunteer has done for us in the past and hope
minor children need a birth certifi- month to shop at the Clothing Bank. based. Boertje has been volunteering they continue to help us out in the fu-
cate to prove they are in the home. They can come anytime they are there since last fall. ture,” said Garcia.
“I know a couple of clients that available. St Mary is the only church Flowers in the Mitten has part-
are getting cut from food stamps, so “$1 for like 10 bags of clothes is Boertje has gone to. She went to nered with St. Mary Community Out-
we’re there to help,” said Garcia. better than the Salvo where you have school there. She raised her children reach Center.
The Open Closet Clothing Bank to pay for individual items,” said there. Her husband and she were If you are unable to drop off do-
is open 10 a.m. - noon Monday, Tues- Garcia. married there. She is the president nations during the Outreach Center’s
day, Thursday, and Friday. There is Garcia has been attending St. of the parish council, she handles hours, you can bring food donations
a $1 entrance fee to get in and then Mary Parish for 13 years, volunteer- the linens, and is on the team that to Flowers in the Mitten’s shop and
you can pick clothing/items you ing with Community Outreach Cen- counts the money. they will deliver it to the Outreach
want. ter since September 2023, and has “I’m really involved there. It is my
Clients have 20 minutes to shop been the director since November home. I can't imagine going to mass See St.Mary, page 13

The Wayne Dispatch · March 2025 · 5