Susan Bressler, a Renton Reporter columnist and tireless community volunteer, is reminding us that the Renton Clothes Bank needs extra citizen support during this time of prolonged recession. While the need is greater than ever, the Renton Clothes Bank has lost some of it’s traditional financial backing from other financially-pinched agencies and organizations.
Susan has worked hard over the years to keep clothing flowing into the Clothing Bank. I often see her moving multiple 30-gallon bags of clothes from St Mathews Church out to her car so she can drive them to the Bank for distribution to kids and adults who need them. In addition to clean wearable clothing donations, cash is also extremely appreciated to keep the lights on and to purchase new underclothing and items for babies.
Susan wrote an informative and touching article on this topic for this week’s Renton Reporter. In her article, she tells of a boy who attended school with his shoes repaired by duct tape, and a little girl who had to wear her father’s boxer shorts when she ran out of underwear. With your past assistance, The Renton Clothes Bank has worked hard to prevent such situations– and with your continuing commitment, they can keep making a difference in our community.
Click here to read Susan Bressler’s article in the Renton Reporter.
Thanks for sharing this article, I’m off to go through my closet!!!
Clothes Bank
Thanks, Julia. All of us at the Clothes Bank appreciate your support.
Clothes Bank
Likely an unintentional oversight on your part, but the article notes the clothing bank failed to get a grant from the City of Renton this year, which you glaringly omitted above. Did they fail to meet the parameters of the grant? What power, if any, do you have as a council member to see those funds get restored, if possible (or advisable, there is no information on why they lost the grant).
Re: Clothes Bank
Thanks, Geoff. The City Council does have some power to restore potential money to the Clothes Bank. We are planning to go before them in November to plead our case. The process was very competitive this year. And, in fact, the Salvation Army also did not receive funding. Lucky for the Salvation Army, they just received $500,000 from a donor. The Clothes Bank is actively seeking other funding sources, so keep your fingers crossed. And, a well placed letter to the City Council wouldn’t hurt either. Thanks for your interest in the Clothes Bank. Susan B.