On a Tuesday morning you will often hear the dining hall buzzing with chatter, as you see a group of lovely ladies sorting and tagging clothing donations. At first glance, you would probably think they had been friends for years, but Shari, Julia, Tina, and Barbara have known each other less than a year since they began serving together here at Lubbock Impact. They show up each week with smiles on their faces, ready to step in wherever they are needed. Not only have they found a way to fill their time by serving their community, but they have also become a part of one themselves.  

Lubbock Impact is a volunteer driven organization built by people who seek to bring hope to those who need the reminder someone cares about their struggle and wants to help. 

Each woman came for a different reason: one is a retired nurse looking to fill her free time, one is a community advocate in search of new opportunities, another recently retired and was looking to volunteer instead of getting another job, and the last a fellow church member recommended serving at Lubbock Impact. When they began serving, they had no idea that this new chapter of their lives would bring unforgettable friendships. 

Barbara described their little group as just “quiet people behind the lines of service.” Each week, they get to spend time together, catching up on what is going on in their lives, sharing so many laughs and smiles throughout their friendships. Just in the last few months of their friendship they have been able to celebrate one another during the joyous moments of their lives, like weddings or new grandbabies. After spending a few hours together every week, they now look to each other when in need of prayer or support during periods of hardship. 

This is just one example of how at Lubbock Impact, volunteers are not just merely given a task, but they are introduced to a community of other dedicated and hardworking individuals looking to make a change for those in need. 

Shari, who began volunteering in the Clothes Closet four years ago, has not only seen how much Lubbock Impact has expanded, but also how it has grown as a community-building space. “Volunteering with Lubbock Impact has opened doors to finding a community where everyone is welcomed and everyone who walks through our doors feels valued.” 

Lubbock Impact is grateful for the commitment of volunteers like Shari, Julia, Tina, and Barbara that work behind the scenes to prepare and ensure participants have access to an assortment of good-quality clothing. They exude the joy of the Lord and pour so much love into each step of the process. Their friendship represents one of the special things about Lubbock Impact which is finding community!