By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com
CLAY COUNTY — In the midst of getting referrals to help children and adults, the Northland Clothing Center is also participating in the first-ever National Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day on Monday, Sept. 15.
As a leader in the fight against clothing insecurity, Northland Clothing Center is promoting this awareness day to help spread awareness about this under-recognized problem, said Marjie Siegfried-Stuber, executive director of the center.
National Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day shines a spotlight on the millions of American children and families who lack access to adequate, appropriate clothing. While food and housing insecurity are widely recognized, clothing insecurity remains largely invisible, despite being a basic human need.
Founder of the NCIAD is Note In The Pocket, a North Carolina based nonprofit whose mission is to provide quality clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families with dignity and love. Northland Clothing Center is one of more than 40 organizations nationwide who is promoting NCIAD, and the only one in the KC area.
Along with the awareness campaign, Siegfried-Stuber and her team of volunteers have been taking appointments from more than 340 children and adults in the Northland to receive clothing this fall.
“We are serving an average of 49 per serving day,” she said. “On Friday, Sept. 5, we had another 41 people schedule appointments and we are now scheduling well into November and have a few slated for December.”
NCC provides all clothing free of charge to people who are referred to the nonprofit by school social workers, human service agency case workers, mental health service provider staff, social service agency case workers, early learning center family advocates, and other professionals and organizations who work with people in need.
Siegfried-Stuber said she hopes families and individuals will consider bringing in donations.
“We need clothes for children and adults, especially men, shoes, belts, purses, and yes, we need monetary donations so we can purchase new underwear for all our clients,” she said. “We also provide a new pair of sneakers for every school-aged child, and shoe vouchers for adults who are working full-time if they need shoes to maintain their employment.”
Other recent needs include ankle socks in sizes 5 to 10 for boys and girls as well as adults. Large men’s shirts, men’s coats of all sizes, boys’ coats 14 and larger are also needed.
Donations can be dropped off 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the first Saturday of each month to Northland Clothing Center, 3939 N Cleveland Avenue.
