What's new to the city of Fort Madison is not new to the Seventh-day Adventist Church denomination - in fact, it's a project dating back to 1879.

The local Seventh-day Adventist Church at the corner of 17th Street and Avenue I will open a new community center at 9 a.m. Tuesday at 1635 Ave. I, catty-cornered from the church.

The center will be open each Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., whether for donations or pickups.

The purpose of the center is to provide free clothing - and other necessary items that are donated - to those in the community who have the need. Although there will be some type of screening process, no income level is required to get the clothing.

“We're looking for new or good condition items,” Rev. John Howells, pastor, said. Appliances should be working and the clothing should have no stains or rips. “We work hard to screen donations.” He gave a general rule - a golden one in fact - for those wishing to give: “If we're going to be truly like Jesus, we should give what we would want to get.”

The Burlington Adventist Church has a center for its community. They have distributed children's toys and baby needs, including bottles. . . .