Church Collects Clothes, Items for Fire Victims

Jeans in all sizes, shapes and colors. Shoes, coats and dresses. All assorted by size and men's or women's. 

This is not a description of one of Hoboken's many boutiques, it's the basement of the where volunteers have colleced items from the community for the victims of the fire that more than two weeks ago. 

Stacy Nolan, 24, an intern at the parish, said that the church has been in contact with 16 of the victims. The victims stop by the church and pick up items they need. Popular items include work attire and winter coats. Recently, Nolan said, some of the victims indicated they need housewear and bedding. 

The last day for Hobokenites to drop of items at multiple drop off points around town is April 1, and the last day for the fire victims to come to the church to pick up items will be April 2. 

After that, Nolan said, a garage sale will be held to sell the remaining items. The proceeds will be equally divided among the fire victims, Nolan said. 

Michelle Hoffmann, 25, also an intern at the church and Kerri Killen, 22 and a Stevens student, also helped with the efforts of organizing the items and the collection efforts. Victims can stop by every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"It's phenomenal," said Mayor Dawn Zimmer about the efforts. 

Robert Meyer, the pastor at the church, said he was impressed with the community. 

"You see the best of Hoboken," Meyer said, "and that's inspiring."