Eunice Pollard settled in for Bible study, tucking a shopping bag under a metal folding chair as she took her seat.

"I love to shop," the Augusta retiree said. "I look forward to every Monday night. I got a pink sweater tonight."

Bible studies at Broad Street Ministry Center often begin this way. Before prayer requests and the Bible lesson, the women in the group do some free shopping in the center's clothing closet.

It's called Shoppe 31:30, and its founders envisioned it as a place where women can equip themselves with all the things they need to keep up appearances. Shoppe 31:30 carries not only the basics but also professional attire -- purses, heels and jewelry.

"If all you had were sweat pants to wear to work, how would you feel when everyone else had jewelry and nice things?" asked Jennifer Elliott, the director of the center and a missionary of the North American Mission Board. "We always say we have the best-dressed women in Augusta.

"You hate to think we look at the outward appearance, but we all do."

One church that donates to the clothing closet calls its campaign "Bling for Broad Street," and the ministry has adopted the name.

Warren Baptist Church has challenged its members to sort through their jewelry and clothing to find like-new items to give to woman who don't have the resources to buy the item new.

Participants in the women's ministry, called Becoming, can shop among donated items only after they've earned points for participating at the center.

Attending a Bible study could earn a dress and a necklace. Community volunteering could earn shoes and earrings.

"The things in this shop will perish and go away, but who you are in Christ won't go away," Mrs. Elliott said. "We want them to know they don't have to live life feeling always pressed down, like everyone is better than you. In reality, we're all equals to God."