Sumas Community Clothesline

Happy Dance!!!!! THE CLOTHESLINE IS OPEN on Saturday, January 17, from 10 to noon. The selections aren't as much as normal, but it's coming along nicely

(The photos are not current, but just show what it was like a week or so ago after the flood. Everything on the ground was lost, but the up items are fine.)

The floor is triple scrubbed. Shelving is nailed back together. Pressboard dressers and shelving, as well as the lower-quality bins, were destroyed.

We are delighted to share what we have.

NOTE: Donations are accepted, but we expect a high volume, so, if possible, limit to 2-3 large bags and save the rest for another week.

~~YES to blankets, pillows, shoes, clothing for all ages, accessories.
~~ Please NO toys, books, car seats, baby playpens or other baby items other than clothing.

A NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS the Clothesline:

We appreciate so much all those who are ready to give clothing and other items to the Clothesline. In a few weeks we will likely be ready to receive them, but for now (as of 12-30-25) we respectfully ask that people either find a different place to donate OR hold on to them.

Most of the energy of the church has gone to opening our doors for flood relief. Our facility has been the hub of activity to coordinate needs with volunteers. It's estimated that 400 homes were impacted, however, compared to the 2021 flood, more families evacuated and more families managed to save more of their possessions.

There will come a time when clothing, food and furniture will be needed, but right now many Sumas residents that were hardest hit aren't in their homes. The first wave of help has been more in the form of getting crawl spaces and floors cleared of mud.

The Clothesline Building was not as severely impacted as four years ago, but we still had 18" of water. It did not smell like last time, so all clothing above the water line was saved. Some bins were put up, but not enough. We lost dressers, bins and other display units to the water. No schedule yet for reopening, but it will be a few weeks at least.

Thanks for holding off on donations. We know when we give the green light there will be an outpouring of generous donations. It won't be long before we'll be able to handle the donations. Thanks for your patience and your prayers. Our greatest desire is to continue serving the community by being one of the important resources to help those who can use a bit of assistance.

The Clothesline Crew

FLOOD UPDATE ~ The Clothesline will be closed at least the next two Saturdays, Dec. 20 and 27. Which Saturday it opens in January depends on how many repairs are made. We'll keep you posted.

There was about 2 or 2 1/2 feet of water in the building. Some bins got put up but many toppled over. Everything above water line was saved this time, unlike the '21 flood when 100% was tossed because of the smell and greater destruction.

Thanks to all the volunteers who mucked out the original layer of mud and tossed the obviously soiled garments and bins. Follow up crews cleaned and pressure washed. Some bins are being salvaged. Marcy and Michell have done a lot more fine tune cleaning. Some repairs need to be made, such as the countertop detached from the wall.

Thanks for your patience. We feel blessed that honestly it could have been much worse. And with so many people losing their homes and possessions the damage at the Clothesline is an minor problem.

NO DONATIONS at this time, please. We cannot continue to repair and clean and move bags of donations around. We are also a bit fearful of how GENEROUS we figure everyone will be and are hoping the donations, when ready to receive, will come in a trickle instead of all at once! But we'll make it.

We are honored to serve the Sumas Community and bring a bit of a bright spot to a difficult world. ~~ Marcy, Michelle, Carl.

Winter is here which means cold weather which means BLANKETS.

At the Clothesline we give what we have. Right now we have very few blankets. If you're thinking about getting a new blanket or have too many in your closets, we'd be happy to receive your donations. Twins, full, and queen are the best sizes. We'll take Kings if they are not too big to store, but fewer people have King size beds that are looking for blankets. We'll also take any throw blankets for laps.

PILLOWS are also needed. It doesn't matter if your pillow is not as fluffy as it once was, it will be used. As long as it's not torn or soiled, it can be used. If they are really really thin, many times people use them for their pets. So bring us any extra pillows because we have very few available at the Clothesline.

Thanks. Best time to bring donations is during open hours 10 to noon on Saturdays.

Woo hoo. The Clothesline begins tomorrow. We love to serve the people of Sumas, Kendall, Everson, Nooksack and other communities. Come and take a look.

Opening day of Clothesline for the new season is Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 to noon! Hope to see familiar faces as well as new people to come and find helpful clothing and other items. Everyone is welcome. No income or resident qualifications. We just want to help families and individuals make their money go a little bit further.

(The photo was taken in 2000. The church purchased the property several years before that. Later, when the new highway was put in, it turned out part of the house was on the state right of way, so they removed the house, and left the garage. You can see on the left hand side of the photo a corner of the garage, which is now the Clothesline building.)

The Clothesline is open one more time for the season
Come and take a look
March 29, 10 to noon

We'll be open again in September
It's been a great year

Send a message to learn more

A few weeks left for Clothesline season. We have bins of SUMMER CLOTHES we want to pass on. Come take as many as you want.

Send a message to learn more

Needed. We're almost out of grocery bags. Bring any donations Saturday 10 to Noon