Mom’s clothing exchange idea blossoms

Penny Glass with her daughters: Noelani, O’Hanna and Makayla.

This mom started a clothing exchange out of necessity. Her idea has grown into a program that benefits hundreds of local families, who donate clothing they no longer wear so that they can select other clothes they need.

“In the summer of 2012, my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a tumor. All our money was going toward medical testing. We didn’t know how we were going to get school clothes that year. Both parents worked, so we didn’t qualify for assistance at all. I started thinking about doing this clothing exchange program.

“I talked to the pastor at my church, and he gave me the go-ahead to try it. The first time, we were able to help 30 families. It’s taken off from there. I knew if I had issues and couldn’t get help when I needed it, there were others as well.

“After I started the program I found out that my middle daughter has a platelet dysfunction, and I am now a single mother. We continue to have some medical issues, but we haven’t lost our faith because we believe it could always be worse.

“Everyone says I am a blessing but to be honest, all of these families that support the program and their stories are the real blessing.”

— Penny Glass