The Clothing Closet has seen a significant uptick in people shopping at its free clothing store.
Since last September 500 new households have registered for the Clothing Closet. Last year an estimated 100,000 pieces of clothing were given to families in need. Now there are 900 families actively using the closet.
Prior to September the Clothing Closet would get a couple new families each week and now it’s about 10 new families a week.
“It seems to have been an astronomical change,” said coordinator Lisa Burke.
The busiest months for the Clothing Closet are August to November and the spring. Summer is usually the slowest part of the shopping season. “The numbers of people we've seen this summer, when it should have been really quiet, were equal to the previous year's busy season numbers, so the traffic flow is just going up and up,” she said.
The busiest day this year had 137 families shopping within a four and a half hour window. “I would love to know how that compares to a store in the mall. I think we're busier,” said Burke.
She thinks the store has been busier recently because of inflation and the increased cost of living. Although inflation has stabilized “I think that's just made life so unaffordable for a segment of the population, and so it puts them over the top. Something has to give somewhere. And so if they can clothe their kids or themselves for free, then that makes a difference to put food on the table and pay the rent,” she said.
To keep up with the demand there is a need for more donations, specifically children’s clothing in time for back-to-school.
The Clothing Closet is inside New Life Church at 400 Victoria Rd. N. Registered households can shop at the free store on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m.
People from across Guelph come to the closet and a large portion are from the Brant Avenue and Willow West neighbourhoods.
Although there isn’t data on the demographics of households that come to the closet Burke said a vast majority are newcomers to Canada.
“I know there are people who like to thrift. It's fun for them, and they enjoy shopping for people. in mind,” said Burke.
A woman about a week ago decided to go thrift shopping, bought clothes and donated them to the closet.
In the past people have organized clothing drives and gathered used clothes from their neighbours to donate.
The Clothing Closet will see people come through to get clothes for a couple years and then they don’t need the service anymore.
“So when somebody becomes self-supporting or self-sustaining, then they don't need us, and then often, a couple years later, they turn around and they're the donors,” said Burke. “It's beautiful to see, and it feels really good for them and for us.”
To donate to the Clothing Closet check the website as hours are subject to change.
