A free program is now available to Sudburians, designed to help community members get the clothing they need, all collected, cleaned and organized by Melissa Porter, founder of Closet Share.
Porter said Closet Share began in June as a part-time hobby, but as the need grew, so did the operation. Moving from posting items on occasion to Facebook, to opening an online store where individuals can order up to 10 items, to be picked up at Closet Share’s warehouse, otherwise known as Porter’s laundry room.
“I run this program by myself from our home located at 143 Metcalfe Ave., Garson,” said Porter. “I have turned my laundry room into a small warehouse where all processed items go and my living room is currently storage for all donations and where we take the photos of each item and process them. It is a lot for one person and we just keep growing.”
Porter said she often puts 10 to 12 hours a day into the work, but it’s a labour of love.
“I do it because I love the feeling I get when I am able to assist a refugee in getting clothing on their backs, or when someone has lost their entire home due to fire, or even just seeing a little kids face when they open a bag of ‘new-to-them clothes, it is the most fulfilling feeling I could have ever imagined feeling,” said Porter. “I always wanted to help people out and when I brought this idea to my husband, he was immediately on board and told me to go for it, so here we are.”
Porter takes clothing from community members who make a donation, washes them, sorts them and takes photos of each individual item. The photos are then uploaded to the website, and each member is allowed 10 items per day. Everything is free, but items must be picked up; no delivery is available..
Members will then receive an email when their items are ready for pick up, all items are bagged and placed on the front deck every day for easy no-contact pick up.
In addition to donations of clothing, sports equipment, graduation dresses, and laundry supplies, Closet Share also accepts monetary donations to help defray the costs.
For more information or to make a donation, visit ClosetShare.ca.