The Sharing Shelf Provides Free Clothing to Children in Need
The Sharing Shelf, a non-profit in Port Chester, N.Y., offers free clothing to children facing clothing insecurity, with demand increasing significantly in recent years. A survey of caseworkers highlights the negative impacts of clothing insecurity on children's well-being and school attendance.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 4 |
Novelty | 6 |
Positivity | 8 |
Reliability | 7 |
Actionability | 8 |
Society | 7 |
Journalism | 4 |
Highlights
- The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester, N.Y. provides free clothing to children in need.
- Demand for clothing assistance has increased three-fold from 2020 to 2023.
- In the fall of 2023, requests for clothing assistance are up 11% compared to the previous year.
- A survey of 123 caseworkers revealed that clothing insecurity negatively impacts children's emotional, social, and academic well-being.
- The Sharing Shelf has expanded its offerings, including a Teen Boutique where teens can shop for free.
Perspectives
- Deborah Blatt, founder of The Sharing Shelf, emphasizes that clothing is critical for children's psychological health and academic performance, arguing that it should be prioritized alongside food and housing assistance. [3]
- The significant rise in requests for clothing assistance indicates a broader issue of poverty and economic instability in Westchester, with many families struggling to provide basic necessities for their children. [1][3]