Help outreach center help the community

Volunteer manager of the Open Closet, Lynn Boertje, and Malynda Garcia, Director of the Outreach Center in the food pantry.

By Sarah Shurge – “Our first priority is the people that are coming through the door and helping them,” said Lynn Boertje.
Boertje is life-long Wayne resident, has attended St. Mary Parish, Wayne her entire life, and volunteers at St. Mary Community Outreach Center.
St. Mary Parish, Wayne is the oldest Catholic parish in western Wayne County, founded in 1862. The St. Mary Community Outreach Center opened on September 3, 2003.
The Outreach Center hosts the Food Depot and the Open Closet Clothing Bank.
“The center services people in Wayne, Westland, and Canton areas. It helps with food and clothing. It helps those that are in dire need,” said Malynda Garcia, St. Mary Community Outreach Center director.
The Food Depot is open 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Monday – Friday, where people can receive a basket of food.
Those in need can call to make an appointment, or brand-new families/individuals can just show up so they can get put into the system.
Clients will need to bring their ID and two pieces of mail to verify their address (if they are new), including every member of the household, and minor children need a birth certificate to prove they are in the home.
“I know a couple of clients that are getting cut from food stamps, so we’re there to help,” said Garcia.
The Open Closet Clothing Bank is open 10 a.m. – noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. There is a $1 entrance fee to get in and then you can pick clothing/items you want.
Clients have 20 minutes to shop the racks. They have options from clothing, shoes, bedding, small household items, kitchen appliances, kids’ toys, car seats, luggage, etc. It all depends on what items people have donated.
Clients are allowed two visits per month to shop at the Clothing Bank. They can come anytime they are available.
“$1 for like 10 bags of clothes is better than the Salvo where you have to pay for individual items,” said Garcia.
Garcia has been attending St. Mary Parish for 13 years, volunteering with Community Outreach Center since September 2023, and has been the director since November 2023.
“My favorite part is seeing people that are truly in need – the happiness they get from the help they need,” said Garcia.
St. Mary Community Outreach Center is completely volunteer based. Boertje has been volunteering there since last fall.
St Mary is the only church Boertje has gone to. She went to school there. She raised her children there. Her husband and she were married there. She is the president of the parish council, she handles the linens, and is on the team that counts the money.

Volunteer manager of the Open Closet, Lynn Boertje (right) and one of her hardest working volunteers Lisa Uhlian.

“I’m really involved there. It is my home. I can’t imagine going to mass at a different parish,” Boertje.
Boertje had been with her husband since 1980, and they always volunteered and gave back. After her husband’s passing in June 2023, Boertje decided to volunteer all of her free time to volunteer work, which includes the clothing bank at the Outreach Center.
“There are days that I walk out with happy tears that I’ve been able to help somebody. That’s what it’s all about,” said Boertje.
In order for St. Mary Community Outreach Center to be able to continue helping the community, it needs your help through donations: clothing, food, or monetary.
If you’d like to donate clothing items, there is an extreme need for the following items: plus size men’s clothing, larger men’s shoes, and kids’ clothing (6 month – 2 years). However, all clothing items are welcome.
If you’d like to donate food items, there is a need for non-perishable foods.
You can drop off clothing donations in the parking lot off Sims St. during the clothing bank hours, and you can drop off food donations to the parking lot off 2nd St.
“We appreciate everything the city has done for us in the past and hope they continue to help us out in the future,” said Garcia.
Flowers in the Mitten has partnered with St. Mary Community Outreach Center.
If you are unable to drop off donations during the Outreach Center’s hours, you can bring food donations to Flowers in the Mitten’s shop and they will deliver it to the Outreach Center during their open hours.
Every donation enters you to win a bouquet of the month certificate good for 12 months.
Flowers in the Mitten is located at 34852 W. Michigan Ave, and is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday.
St. Mary Parish is located at 34530 W Michigan Ave. The St. Mary Community Outreach Center is located at 34646 Sims St.
Hymns and readings are: Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (English), 2 p.m. (Spanish), Saturday 4 p.m. (English), and Monday and Friday 9 a.m. (English).
Parish office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (other times by appointment). Confessions are Saturday 3 – 3:30 p.m. (or can be scheduled).
For more information about St. Mary Parish, call (734)721-8745 (press 2), visit their website at stmarywayne.org, or e-mail parishoffice@stmarywayne.org. You can find them on Facebook by searching “St. Mary Catholic Church Wayne, MI”
“There are a great number of people that are in need. For us to have a facility like this where we can help people, that’s our mission. We’re unique. We’re truly a service center,” said Boertje.
Thank you to Garcia, Boertje, and all the other volunteers that keep St. Mary Community Outreach Center running!