Church shares blessings with those in need
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Terri Carrino of Beloit searches through dresses at the Rock Assembly of God Church monthly giveaway.
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Staff and volunteers pray before the start of the monthly giveaway at the Rock Assembly of God Church.
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Jennifer Bishop of Beloit looks over clothing for her children at The Rock Assembly of God Church.
JANESVILLE — It was like crazy, last-minute Christmas shopping.
People waited in line outside. Once through the doors, they pushed through people crowded around tables, racks and shelves, grabbing what they could before someone else snatched the bargains.
But this was no discount store or shopping mall.
It was a church, and everything was free. No questions asked.
"They trust you, and that makes you feel better," said Alfred Tucker, 44, Janesville.
He supports his stay-at-home wife and three young children on his Social Security disability income.
"I'm not coming here to get something free. I feel the spirit of God here. It's the way God wants it. To help one another,'' Tucker said.
The monthly free giveaway at Rock Assembly of God Church, 2232 Hermitage Lane, helps Tucker to put more food on the table and clothes on his children.
"I found my son a couple pairs of pants for school for winter,'' he said.
Patricia Schwab-Markley, a member of the church, started the program after the Lord's spirit spoke to her and prompted her to help the needy, she said.
That was 11 years ago.
Since then, she said, the number seeking help has tripled and is expected to continue increasing with the sluggish economy. The biggest increase, though, came this fall when people started looking for warm winter clothing and bedding. Wednesday's crowd, she said, was even bigger than last month.
Terri Carrino, 54, and her daughter Jennifer Bishop, 34, both of Beloit, agreed.
"Usually there’s 75 (people) and a line out to that tree,” Bishop said.
“There’s probably 100 people here today,” Carrino said.
Wednesday's trip was at least the ninth visit to the church for the two women, who were first in line after arriving at 8 a.m.—three hours before doors opened. They sat bundled in lawn chairs. A brisk breeze nipped as the temperature hovered in the 30s.
The down coat Carrino was wearing came from an earlier giveaway.
"We always find stuff; nice stuff and it's wonderful," Bishop said. "They don't judge us, and they do not discriminate against other beliefs.”
She hunts the church tables to clothe her three children—ages 13, 11 and 3.
"This is my once-a-month Wal-Mart,'' Bishop said. "We don't have money to buy these things. This is the way we get it.”
Pastor Mike Dissmore said compassion ministry is part of the church’s mission.
"We are really thankful we can be part of something that impacts the need in Janesville. Pat is the driving force, and everyone in the church provides support,'' he said.
Schwab-Markley said many donations, including new women’s clothing, come from the Christopher & Banks store in the Janesville Mall plus from clothing drives, newspaper advertisements and word of mouth.
In addition to the monthly giveaways, Rock Assembly of God is part of Love in the Name of Christ, a program that brings together Christian churches of all denominations to help those in need.
"We have been blessed," Schwab-Markley said. And, "donations have kept up with demand."
FOR HELP OR TO DONATE
Call Rock Assembly of God Church, 2232 Hermitage Lane, Janesville, at (608) 756-2232 or Pat Schwab-Markley at (608) 754-0272 or (608) 931-6720.
The free monthly giveaways are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month except for November and December, when the giveaway is the third Wednesday of the month.
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