Church thrift store seeks donations to help displaced apartment fire residents

CLARKSBURG, Md. — After a fire displaced 43 people on Saturday, this Montgomery County community is coming together to help those affected.

On Saturday, a fire broke out at the residential building Clarksburg Town Center. Four people were checked out on scene and two people were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Four firefighters were also injured, with two taken to the hospital suffering from non-critical injuries. After 78 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, the fire was under control. But the fire affected 24 apartments and put out 43 residents.

Clarksburg Closet, a local free thrift store run out of Cedarbrook Community Church, has been the hub to donate items to displaced residents. Now, the organization is asking for help to address all of the needs of the people affected by the fire.

This week they are having drop in hours for people to donate the items they need most. Clarksburg Closet says the most needed items are new and packaged underwear in all sizes, genders and ages, new bathroom toiletries of any kind and size, and diapers in all sizes and baby wipes. People can drop in to donate Wednesday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon, and again on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Anyone who wants to donate can go to 23810 Stringtown Road in Clarksburg, Maryland.

Volunteers have already distributed new underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, suitcases and other small toiletries, and brought several residents directly to Clarksburg Closet to shop for immediate clothing needs. The new donations will replenish what they have already given out to residents.

The organization says they will still accept any typical donations of clothes and shoes, but to know that they collect those items year round and having too many of those donations at this time may overwhelm them.