Clothing Program Overview:
Primarily in the Eugene-Springfield area, Queer Eugene operates an entirely volunteer-run Clothing Program that supports at-risk and unhoused youth, unhoused folks in general, school-based clothing closets, partner Community-Based Organization closets, and events that support relationship building for the community at large.
Permanent Clothing Closet:
Queer Eugene hosts and runs a Permanent Clothing Closet in Eugene. This closet is publicly available during traditional business hours for folks to drop by (or make appointments to access at other hours) to get free clothing. Folks are encouraged to “take as much as they will use”, with the idea that they can moderate their own clothing needs and not be managed by strict organizational rules. The closet also acts as a donation space; our Clothing Program is well-known in the metro area and we are a big part in the acceptance, sorting, and moving of donated/upcycled clothing to freely share with community members. The upkeep and maintenance of our closet is done by volunteers. The work that they do is making sure the Clothing Closet is tidy, clean, and easily shoppable. They support people in accessing the Clothing Closet and directing folks to meet their needs.
Community Partnerships:
We partner with 15+ organizations in the Eugene-Springfield area on a consistent basis (and support other organizations as-needed in surrounding areas). Through other pieces of our program, we accept donations from the community, sort clothing, and drop off (or arrange pick up) of clothes that match the needs of our community partners. This allows us to spread out the positive impact of these clothes and help meet the needs of a diverse population.
Clothes Sorting:
We have volunteers that go through our donated clothes and sorts them by type (t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, pants, etc). This helps us put up clothes in the closet more sensibly and helps us better meet the needs of our community partners without giving them more labor.
How to Donate:
Donations can be dropped off at 1590 Willamette St. Eugene, OR 97401 between the hours of 9-5 Monday through Friday.
Other donations can be arranged by appointment. Email [email protected] to arrange that.