George’s Garments: Where charity is one-size fits all

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By Connie McKinney, contributing writer

Above: Kathy Lynn, left; and Anne Lott, right; stand by a picture of the late Rev. George Sandor, former pastor of St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Binghamton. They are two of the volunteers for George’s Garments, a free clothing center named in memory of Sandor.

At first glance, George’s Garments in Binghamton’s First Ward looks like any other clothing store.
Women’s blouses hang on clothing racks. Men’s shirts hang nearby. Pairs of shoes are displayed on a corner table.

But there’s one thing missing that other clothing stores always have: a cash register.

George’s Garments is not a clothing store but a free clothing center located in the SS. Cyril and Methodius Church Hall basement. Anyone is welcome to come and pick up a bag of clothes, said Anne Lott, a 25-year parishioner at the church who runs the clothing center with help from 10 other volunteers.

“People come in and they know they are not being judged,” she said. “We are there to help them. You feel like they’re your family.”

Named after the church’s former pastor, the late Rev. George Sandor; the clothing center began in 2017. Since then, the ministry has continued to grow. George’s Garments served more than 1,200 people since the end of July, Lott said citing the latest statistics available.

Some customers are recent immigrants. Many customers come from the church’s neighborhood located in the city’s First Ward, one of the poorest areas in Binghamton. Some are homeless.

“The need is so great,” said Kathy Lynn, another volunteer. “It just breaks your heart.”

George’s Garments isn’t the only free clothing center in Binghamton. But most of the other clothing centers are open only once a month, Lott said.

“This one has more days, more hours and much more stuff,” Lott said.

Every customer is greeted with a smile and a friendly hello from volunteers such as Lynn.

“I try to know their names,” she said. “You want them to feel that they matter – that they count for something.”
Everyone who walks into the clothing center is treated with kindness, dignity and respect, said Anne Marie Distin, another volunteer.

“Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me. I keep reminding myself of that,” she said.
She was inspired to help at the center by her late father-in-law, Deacon Leslie Distin, who died this past summer; as well as her background growing up in a family of eight children, she said.

“It’s part of my upbringing — to give, to help,” Distin said. “It’s just a part of who we all are.”

The clothing center can always use more volunteers and clothes, especially for men and teens. Shoes are a hot commodity, too, Lynn said.

“Footwear is like gold bars,” Lynn said.

Sometimes, the center runs low on a particular item or someone needs a certain type of clothing. That’s when the volunteers turn to prayer. Somehow, their prayers are always answered, Distin said.

“When there’s a need out there, we just pray about it, and things show up,” Distin said. “We’ll find it somewhere in a box. You just have to think there are angels watching over us somewhere.”

The community has been generous in supporting the clothing center, Distin said. Two years ago, a local store, Burlington Coat Factory, moved from Johnson City to Vestal. Burlington Coat Factory donated clothing racks to George’s Garments.

There’s a lot of work that goes into running the clothing center but the volunteers say they don’t mind the hard work involved.

“I see the difference that it makes. You do have an impact on people,” Lynn said. “They know you care about them.”

Added Lott, “It’s not about how much money you make. Did you make a positive difference in the world while you were around?”

The free clothing center is located in the parish hall basement at St. Cyril and Methodius Church, 148 Clinton St., Binghamton. Hours are 10 a.m. until 12:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays.

George’s Garments is always in need of clothing. Donations may be dropped off when the center is open or at the parish office located at 148 Clinton St. The parish office is open and can accept donations from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For more information, call the parish office at (607) 724-1372.