It is never just about the clothing
Talking to people about Niagara’s Mobile Closet, it’s easy to give them the basics, explain to them about the free shopping events for people in the Niagara Region. The events we put on to help anyone falling on hard times who would benefit from free clothing and hygiene products. Or I tell them about our mini-closets at front-line agencies to help people who have an immediate need, at places like the Courthouse, Police Stations, Hospitals, and local Shelters. Sometimes, if there is time, I can get into the data.
Over 3,800 people were served in 2024 at our events and another 3,000 were served from our mini closets. In 2025 we will be expanding our mini-closet outreach by another 8 closets. Our program relies on approximately 10,000 volunteer hours a year to run as smoothly as it does.
But it is never just about the statistics, nor the clothing. The numbers and the clothing just scratch the surface.
The woman you help pick the perfect jacket to wear to church. When you see her a season later still wearing it and you comment on it, she can’t believe you remember who she is and hugs you on the way out.
The man you see walking around amongst the clothing racks looking overwhelmed. When you strike up a conversation you find out that his truck is now broken and he doesn’t know how he is going to afford to fix it and pay rent at the same time. So you listen for as long as he needs to talk and then help him find new work clothes.
The woman you find off to the side at an event in a medical crisis. In the freezing cold, you do everything you can to help her in the immediacy. You get her blankets, hand warmers, and call 911 on her behalf. When you run into her the next summer, she recognizes you, remembers your name and tells the people with her how you helped her. You’re ‘one of the good ones’, she says.
People donating clothes of their loved ones who have passed. Sometimes you listen to them as they tell you about who they were. Sometimes you reassure them that these clothes will find a new home with somebody who needs them. Or sometimes you hug them and shed a few tears as you acknowledge how hard this step is for them.
The numbers don’t tell you about the individuals, and the clothing is just a vehicle to connect. Our events give our clients a chance to speak their truth to us. To tell us about their new jobs, new children, how long they have been sober. Each story is an opportunity for the start of a new relationship. A relationship we do not take for granted.
On the drive back from events, one of our volunteers started a tradition where we take turns sharing about the amazing people we met that day. People we know we will never forget. A story that made us laugh or want to cry. These people and their stories are the community that we are creating, one piece of clothing at a time. (Rebecca Jacobs-Assistant coordinator) NMC