Hold a Clothing Drive

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Clothing drives and other special collection events are some of the best, and most fun, ways to collect clothing and shoes for Clothes To Kids of Fairfield County.  Please review the ideas below to get started with planning, or download our handy info sheet.  When you are ready to sign up, please fill out our clothing drive registration form. 

Every collection is different. Use the ideas that work best for you and your group. We are happy to help at any step along the way. Contact our Clothing Donation Coordinator for help planning a clothing drive.

Hold a focused drive for our most needed items – it’s the best way to help!

We need clothing and shoes for school-age children and teens in sizes youth 5/6 – adult XXL. All items must be NEW or GENTLY USED, with no stains, rips, damage or excessive wear. We especially appreciate donations of new items to ensure they meet our quality standards for a wardrobe that kids will feel comfortable and confident wearing to school. See our full list of Accepted Items.

The items we need the most are:

  • NEW underwear in unopened packages (boxer style for boys/men) and NEW sports bras
  • Warm winter jackets and coats (best for drives in September – December)
  • Sneakers and boots
  • Sweatpants, jeans and leggings
  • Zip-up sweatshirts/hoodies
Donate new and gently used clothing and shoes, and new underwear and socks

Ideas for Focused Drives

Back to School: new sneakers and backpacks
Footwear: Kicks for Kids; Sole Train
Underwear and Sports Bras: Undie 500; Drop Your Drawers; the most wUNDIEful time of the year
Winter Coats and Zip-up Sweatshirts: Give a Coat/Share the Warmth; Winter Warm-up; Coats for Kids
Online Drive: Provide the link to our Amazon Wish List so people can purchase items and ship them directly to us: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KXUMVGH378/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1

Places to Collect

  • Back to School Night/Assemblies/School Plays/Pep Rallies/ Sporting Events
  • Holiday/Birthday Parties – Ask guests to bring donations instead of gifts!
  • Office Parties/Conferences/Meetings

Ways to Draw Interest

  • Make your drive a competition among teams, grades, classes, clubs, scout troops or other groups.
    A friendly contest is a great way to encourage everyone to get involved.
  • If your drive is at a school, ask the Student Council, National Honor Society or PTA to help promote it.
    Create a flyer to send home, advertise in newsletters and social media, and have students create posters
    and decorate collection boxes.
  • Designate a time frame for collection. We’ve seen very successful single-day events, weekend drives, and
    2-4 week drives. Make the drive last only as long as you think you can keep excitement and interest high.

Creative Ways to Collect

  • If people will be driving in to drop off donations (e.g., at school or an event), consider setting up a
    “drive-thru” staffed with volunteers who can take items straight from vehicles.
  • At an event, make a new package of underwear the “ticket” for admittance.
  • Obtain permission to sit outside a retail store (Target, Walmart, Old Navy, etc.) and ask shoppers to
    purchase and donate items from our Greatest Needs list. We can provide table materials and tax receipts.

Coordinate a Drop-off

After the drive, please contact our Clothing Donation Coordinator Merryl Hackman to schedule delivery of the donations. We are happy to arrange a store tour and/or a short drop-off volunteer activity for members of your group so that everyone can see how their hard work will benefit children in need in our community. Thank you for your support!