From garage to community lifeline

EPHRAIM—When Nancy Bean first started collecting clothes for foster children in 2012, she stored everything in her garage. More than a decade later, that small act of compassion has grown into the Resource Clothing Bank, a community lifeline serving hundreds of Sanpete County residents each month.
“We’ve been able to get clothes now and feel better about ourselves,” one local father told Bean, a sentiment she hears often from the families who walk through her doors at 50 South 100 West in Ephraim.
The center operates on a simple premise: Anyone who needs clothing can get it, no questions asked. There are no income qualifications, no paperwork and no judgment.
“Some people may think we don’t have homeless people in Sanpete,” Bean said. “We may not have panhandlers, but there are people without homes here.”
But the center isn’t just for those experiencing poverty. Middle-income families also access the clothing bank as a way to recycle clothing responsibly. They donate items that no longer fit and pick up the sizes they need.
“Sometimes we hear that people don’t want to come in because they think it’s just for those who are poor,” Bean said. “It’s for everyone.”
What began as a response to Utah foster care’s need for a local clothing resource has evolved into something far greater. The organization now serves families facing domestic issues, provides hygiene kits and shower access, and hosts one of the valley’s most anticipated annual events: the Back to School Backpack Giveaway.
Each August, students arrive on the first Saturday of the month to receive a new backpack with a few school supplies and, when available, a new outfit—shoes, socks and underwear, along with coupons for haircuts.
Youth groups, including local 4-H clubs, have raised money specifically for the event, which Bean says embodies the heart of her mission: “Just kids helping kids.”
The numbers tell a story of remarkable growth. In 2021, the organization logged 2,200 volunteer hours. By 2025, that number had nearly tripled to 6,085 hours. In February 2025 alone, typically a slower month for the center, at least 800 people came through the doors seeking assistance.
Before securing the current location, Bean hosted operations in Manti’s old sewing factory, growing the organization through word of mouth and social media. Now, “Facebook posts requesting specific items sometimes result in donations within a day,” she said.
The operation runs entirely on volunteer power and community donations. Between eight and 12 regular volunteers keep the center running, with different church and civic groups rotating through to help sort and organize. A shipping container stores seasonal clothing, packed to the brim with boxes waiting for the right time of year.
Local families and businesses have become essential partners. One family regularly donates funds specifically for back-to-school. A local gentleman buys new items on sale throughout the year to contribute to the Backpack Giveaway. A local shipping company provided discounts to help with logistics.
“The community has come together,” Bean said. “It’s a miracle.”
The center’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed beyond Sanpete County. The Mountain America Credit Union Ephraim branch nominated the Resource Clothing Bank for the Channel 2 News “Pay it Forward” segment, which featured the center in a human interest story highlighting rural Utah services.
Bean is quick to note that while most people who visit genuinely need help, volunteers occasionally encounter those who take advantage of the free services, sometimes reselling items. “It’s frustrating,” she acknowledged, “but it doesn’t diminish the mission.”
“We help people who need it,” she said. “The majority of people don’t take advantage of us.”
Bean greatly appreciates the generosity of Ephraim City and city council for allowing the use of the building where the operation is located. The central location, she says, makes her services accessible to families throughout the valley.
The center is open Wednesdays from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers are welcome on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon. Those interested in donating, volunteering or learning more can contact Nancy Bean directly at 851-0603 or visit the Resource Clothing Bank Facebook page.