COMMUNITY
CLOTHING
CLOSET




HOW TO START A CHURCH CLOTHING CLOSET

CHURCH CLOTHING CLOSET RELATED TOPICS

HOW TO SET UP A COMMUNITY CLOTHING CLOSET

CLOTHING CLOSET LINKS



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SECTION 1



HOW TO
START
A
CHURCH
CLOTHING
CLOSET




A community or church clothing closet is a way to offer gently used
clothing to children and families who may be experiencing a difficult
financial period. Imploring the help of the church youth can be a
rewarding and learning experience for everyone. Once a generous supply
of gently used clothing is available, various avenues may be utilized
to seek those in need, such as consulting school counselors and the
local Department of Social Services.



Things You'll Need


Storage space

Shelves (such as Rubbermaid)

Plastic containers with lids

Shoe racks/boxes

Clothing rods

Plastic recyclable bags (grocery store bags)

Laundry detergent

Dryer sheets


Instructions


Schedule a Meeting



1. Schedule a meeting to discuss initiating the church clothing
closet and to determine the scale of the project. Try to schedule
the same day or evening that other events are taking place at the
church to ensure a decent turnout.

2. Announce the meeting through the church bulletin, website, email
and word of mouth. Encourage all ages to attend. Often, younger
kids have great ideas that just need the help of an adult to be put
into motion.

3. Brainstorm during the meeting to resolve the following issues: where
the clothing will be stored, who will be the project leader, who can
volunteer, what storage materials are needed, when the clothing closet
will be open to the public and how requests will be made for donations.


Organize Storage Area for Clothing


4. Set up shelves and rods for storing clothes.

5. Designate space in the storage area for children's clothing, women's
clothing and men's clothing. If space permits, separate clothing items
to include baby clothing as well as categorizing clothing by size.

6. Organize the storage area to accommodate non-clothing items, such as
blankets and bedding.

7. Determine an area to keep supplies (hangars, plastic bags, shoe boxes,
clothing detergent and dryer sheets).



Donated Clothing


8. Washing may be necessary of all donations prior to placing items in
the clothing closet. Volunteers can do this on a rotational basis.

9. Mending or repairing articles may be necessary if repairs are to be
minor and volunteers are willing and able. Otherwise, clothing in need
of repairs should be excluded and removed from the clothing closet.

10. Sort items according to gender/size and place in the clothing closet.

11. Store seasonal clothing in plastic containers with lids.




Tips & Warnings


Church members who are not able to assist in the operation of the clothing
closet can participate by donating items. Keep a list of items needed for
the clothing closet available for all members to see.



How to Start a Church Clothing Closet
http://www.ehow.com/how_4894605_start-church-clothing-closet.html



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SECTION 2



CHURCH
CLOTHING
CLOSET
RELATED
TOPICS




How do I Get Free Clothing Racks?
http://www.ehow.com/how_6900185_do-clothing-racks_.html

How to Set Up & Organize a Church Clothing Distribution Center
http://www.ehow.com/how_5548507_set-church-clothing-distribution-center.html

How to Start a Clothing Ministry
http://www.ehow.com/how_5114667_start-clothing-ministry.html

How to Start a Clothing Business for Charity
http://www.ehow.com/how_4814065_start-clothing-business-charity.html

How to Donate Clothing to Local Churches
http://www.ehow.com/how_2387460_donate-clothing-local-churches.html

How to Accept Clothing Donations
http://www.ehow.com/how_7810218_accept-clothing-donations.html

How to Organize a Clothing Drive
http://www.ehow.com/how_4392672_organize-clothing-drive.html

Ideas for Running a Clothing Ministry
http://www.ehow.com/info_8289324_ideas-running-clothing-ministry.html



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SECTION 3



HOW TO
SET UP A
COMMUNITY
CLOTHING
CLOSET




Introduction:


With winter fast approaching and the country in a recession/depression,
its time to think about clothing. For most of us with children it means
a trip to a local department store to purchase a new jacket or coat and
depending on where we live perhaps snow pants, mittens or gloves, boots
and hats. If you are amongst the working poor this can be even more of
a challenge, but it doesn't have to be.

Here is an idea that may help you as it has helped our family in the past.
Many churches run a Community Clothing Closet. Here is how to help your
church or a local Youth Center or other group get a great clothing closet
started.

Step One: A facility: To begin a Community Clothing Closet you will require
a place to run the Clothing Closet. This could be a room in a local church
or community or youth center or some other area. You'll also need volunteers
willing to assist the needy in clothing selection and also to help maintain
and organize the closet. If your local high school has a community service
requirement for graduation this may be a great place to seek volunteers.

Step Two: Donations: Request donations from people closing yard or rummage
sales. Don't forget to spread the word to everyone perhaps a small ad in
the paper that The Community Clothing Closet is accepting gently used winter
clothing for their clothing closet starting September. Church bulletins are
also a great resource for spreading the word about a community clothing
closet. Simply call the local churches and let them know what is going on.
Most will be happy to at least make a mention of the clothing closet in
their weekly bulletin.

Step Three: Set your hours: State the hours that the closet will be open
and make sure you have volunteers to run it. The clothes should be free
or perhaps you could request that the people assist at the clothing closet
for a short time in order to receive clothing. You could also do trades in
that someone brings in 3 items and takes 3 other items home.

Never turn away someone in need of clothing for any reason though. Don't
let a child go cold because no one in the family is willing to volunteer
an hour or so, or because the family has nothing to trade in.



Tips:


Always be cheerful. You never know when you might be the one in need.

This can easily became a very large scale operation . Make sure to keep
it under control if you do not want it to become so large scale.

There will always be an exception to the rule. Someone who doesn't really
need the clothing vs someone who desperately needs it.

Never be judgmental of the people stopping by.

By providing this service you will of course meet many different people
from many different walks of life. There will be those that you like and
those that you barely tolerate but remember that no child should have to
be cold this winter season.



How to set up a community clothing closet
http://www.firehow.com/2010120921924/how-to-set-up-a-community-clothing-closet.html



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SECTION 4



COMMUNITY
CLOTHING
CLOSET
LINKS




Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
http://gsa.gov/portal/content/101097

Community Closet Funding Guidelines & Application
http://www.communitycloset.com/docs/funding_policiesSummer10.pdf

Setting Up a Community Clothing Closet
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/37508_setting-up-a-community-clothing-closet#ixzz37REnCTP8



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