Drop off at Kindness Closet Salem

Today was the day to drop off a car full of casual clothing, camping supplies, and shoes! These clothes came from the end of a local Salem estate sale at a wealthy home. I had about half an hour to grab as many pieces of clothing as I could and put them in black contractor bags. I ended up with about 5 full contractor bags of clothing, sleeping bags, cooking supplies, shoes, scarves, etc.

Kindness Closet is a local organization that provides free meals and supplies to the unsheltered community in Salem, OR. Kindness Closet accepts donations at Grace Community Church on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm, and I went around 1pm and it was very busy with visitors needing services. Volunteers helped me unload the bags from my car and I chatted with a man who mentioned he was 4 months sober and would love one of the sleeping bags I had peeking out from one of the contractor bags. Of course I said that he could take what he liked, but I think he was waiting for the church members to account for everything that I donated.

I asked one of the volunteers if Kindness Closet could handle this amount of clothing on a regular basis, and they said “OH YEAH”! There seems to be a great need for clothing and supplies for people living on the streets. Specifically, they requested casual clothing, strong shoes, winter items, and camping items. In my head I just keep thinking “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED”! Grabbing clothing from house clear-outs and at the end of estate sales is an easy thing for me to do because I’m already there, AND there is a way to keep these clothes from the trash AND there is a direct benefit to others? I’m sold.

Now I’m looking forward to the next car load!