Many of us take for granted clean, new underthings, but for some people, those are not a given. Atkinson Congregational Church is collecting new or unused underwear and bras to benefit local organizations in need. The collection is contactless, enabling donors to shop online and ship directly to the church, or place items in a labeled cart on the church’s front porch at 101 Main St. in Atkinson. The collection is taking place now through Aug. 5, 2021, which coincides with National Underwear Day (yes, there is such a thing).
Underwear has been reported as being one of the most under-donated, yet most needed items at shelters. If you’re wishing to donate, consider purchasing various sizes and types of underwear to provide for a wide audience of men, women and children.
“Comfort and hygiene are just one part of meeting this basic human need,” said Pastor Jim Thomas of Atkinson Congregational Church. “It goes without saying that wearing new, clean underwear can also help to enhance self esteem and dignity.”
The underwear drive is the first of its kind for Atkinson Congregational Church. The collection follows the church’s inaugural hat, glove and sock drive, held last fall, which was an overwhelming success, thanks to the generosity of local communities. “We hope to see a similar response with this new drive, leading up to National Underwear Day, which puts a smile on people’s faces when they hear of it for the first time,” said Linda Fisher, a lead volunteer on the church’s Community Engagement Team.
