Help Clothes for Kids fill empty shelves

Published 9:34 pm Sunday, October 19, 2008

What a shame it would be if this organization closed.

If shelves aren’t restocked at Clothes for Kids, the organization may need to close temporarily, manager and volunteer coordinator Nancy Laird-Burris said.

Clothes for Kids doesn’t have a single bag of winter clothing for students.

“Families are using precious gas to get here,” Laird-Burris said. “We aren’t giving them an adequate wardrobe.”’

It’s a story we’ll hear over and over again as the holidays approach: Charitable organizations need money. But in this case, no donation is requested from your wallet or cupboard.

Clothes for Kids really, really needs new or gently used current clothing for babies through 21-year-old students.

I emphasize “current.” Let’s face it — teenagers don’t want to wear old sweaters with suede elbow patches.

And shoes. They need good shoes.

Laird-Burris said a family with three children recently visited Clothes for Kids. The boy, in elementary school, was wearing flip flops, and one was broken. Volunteers scoured the back room and finally found a pair of shoes in his size.

Here I must ask you to get out a hanky.

The little boy asked his father if they could afford the used shoes.

The look in the father’s eyes would have broken your heart, Laird-Burris said. She assured the boy that his father could afford the footwear.

All clothing is free, for those who qualify, at 16725 52nd Ave. W. in Lynnwood. Clothes for Kids is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Since 1984, Clothes for Kids has provided garments for low-income babies, children and students in Snohomish County. It offers free fall and spring wardrobes, including underwear, socks, shoes, backpacks and school supplies in a retail store setting.

Volunteers help each client shop. Clothes for Kids has a lot of volunteer hours to fill. Rob Schwertley, a Clothes for Kids board member, said the crew is most welcoming.

“Our volunteer staff is the backbone of the organization,” Schwertley said. “Dozens and dozens of volunteers put in countless hours of work in preparation: sorting, washing, folding, as well as assisting families with their shopping experience.”

In the first five weeks of the school year, Clothes for Kids served 1,256 children. That’s a record for the organization and 25 percent ahead of last year’s total.

If the trend continues, Clothes for Kids might need more than 4,000 wardrobes this year. If you can donate money, the organization can buy socks and underwear.

It’s been years since Clothes for Kids’ shelves have been so bare, Laird-Burris said. She’s volunteered there for eight years.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” Laird-Burris said. “We have a back sorting area and cages are empty.”

She has an interesting slant on growing needs.

“People say they’ve qualified for our program for many years,” Laird-Burris said. “They could usually pull it together, but not this year.”

Those who stayed away from Clothes for Kids in years past are in need of outfits this season. With the cost of gas, housing and food, those struggling financially can no longer afford to dress their kids.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.