Dear Editor
The Mennonite Community Closet has been attempting for the past eight years to gain approval from the City of North Battleford to put a door between two adjacent buildings that they own in order to enlarge their store and better serve their customers. This matter has been addressed in the paper a number of times, numerous people have dedicated time to bring this matter before council and appeals to the public have been made. The City has received many favourable responses from the public encouraging them to allow the Closet a door to step through.
The Closet is not an organization that pockets the money it makes for its own gain. Rather, it has given back to the community since its inception in numerous ways:
Providing affordable second hand clothing;
Helping the environment by recycling products and literally keeping tons of clothing and other items from the landfill; and
Providing employment to eight individuals (two full time, six part time), plus many volunteers who give of their time.
The Closet also gives donations every year back to the community. Since 1976, the Closet has donated $530,000 to local organizations. Last year, 13 organizations -approximately half in the community and the rest international relief organizations) -received $31,500 in donations.
The Closet also has plans to fix both of the store fronts (including the one it is not allowed to use) in keeping with the City's downtown revitalization plan.
So again I ask - why is it so hard for the council to approve a simple door that would allow an organization to better serve its community? Why do councillors say they are in favour of the expansion then vote against it? Why does the council continue to delay and hide behind the studies and letters it has put out to the downtown merchants? Why can't the council give back to an organization who has given so much to the community?
There is a parable in the Bible about a widow who continued to come to a judge who did not care about God or people. She came with a plea for justice, which the judge continued to refuse. However, after some time, even though he still did not care about her or her request, he decided to give in to her plea due to her persistence and in the end granted her justice. This is a parable about prayer and not giving up. The Mennonite Community Closet has been quietly persistent these past eight years and it is my prayer that the city council will grant them justice and the use of a door. I hope that is your prayer, too.
Audrey Harder
North Battleford
