Catholic women's volunteer group gives donated items a second chance

Published: 2007-06-01

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) -- Every Monday morning a group of women search through dozens of plastic bags filled with donations to glean items they can distribute to those in need. These women, who call themselves "bag ladies," are members of the Ladies of Charity of Metropolitan Kansas City. The group is comprised of more than 800 women who volunteer at local clinics and schools. Each week, a group of them gather at Seton Center, a Catholic social service agency in Kansas City, to unload, sort and store donated clothing and household items for the agency's thrift store and emergency services programs. Lenora Hughes, who joined the Ladies of Charity in 1986, quickly discovered she enjoyed working with other women. "The sorting room appealed to me," she said. "I like being down with the people." "Donations of clothing and household items come from all over the city," said Rosemary Hornbeck, who calls herself the "new kid on the block" since she joined the Ladies of Charity four years ago.

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