With the goal to change lives one child at a time, the Christian Love Community Center hosted its Day of Giving on Friday for local people to come and receive various clothing items.

“(At the event,) I talked to a single mom with four kids who have outgrown their clothes,” said Lawanda Bell, the center’s youth coordinator. “I’m glad that we are able to help the people in need.

“With many people losing their jobs, we feel that it’s better to give than to receive.”

The Day of Giving program started five years ago, according to Bell. Bell said the event is getting bigger each year with more contributions from the community.

Donated items included some from Plato’s Closet in Montgomery. The store was very enthusiastic and willing to give when the center approached managers about the event, Bell said.

“We would like to encourage more stores and businesses from local areas to partner with the Christian Love Center to have a bigger variety of donations,” Bell said.

According to Bell, the Center’s Day of Giving is for everyone who is im need of anything. The event offered free clothing items for school-aged children as well as adults.

“We want to give back to the community,” Bell said. “Our focus is to inspire, encourage and make a difference in the lives of the people in the city of Troy.

“This is especially for families who need to buy clothes and instead of purchasing them, spending the money that they can pay their bills with, they can come and take home clothes from here.”

Bell said often people go shopping for clothes on a budget. The Day of Giving is an opportunity for them to pick and choose, taking as much as they want. The Center also aims to serve children who need hats and jackets as winter is approaching.

The Day of Giving is brought about with the help of students from Troy University Public Issue Freshman Seminar class, who are learning about issues that affect youths and about how to address them in our community, according to Jonathan Cellon, the Coordinator of Service Learning.