See how this new program, started by Lents neighbors, will help folks in need get winter-ready clothing, shoes, and much more – on January 3 …
The Lents Activity Center is abuzz with activity, as volunteers select only clean used clothing for the upcoming “Lents Community Clothing Closet Day”, held in outer East Portland.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As the year was coming to an end, members of the Lents Neighborhood Association (LNA) Board of Directors approved the idea of helping those who need good winter clothing, using funding available from City of Portland grants to establish the “Lents Community Clothing Closet Day” – now scheduled for Thursday, January 3.
“In a meeting, we were talking about how we could help the community, in a direct and meaningful way,” recalled LNA Chair Sabina Urdes at the clothing intake drive on December 16 at the Lents Activity Center.
In addition to leading the clothing intake drive, LNA Chair Sabina Urdes pitches in to help sort donated clothing.
“A lot of people think of recycling and as cleaning out and trash; however reusing clothing in our community prevents waste – discarded-but-usable clothing has a major negative impact on the environment when it goes into landfill,” Urdes told East Portland News.
To help pay for incidental expenses, the LNA applied for a “Reduce Reuse, Recycle” grant from the Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability (BPS), and it was approved.
At the December intake event, many people dropped off clothing and shoes, in sizes fitting kids to adults, at the center; a half-dozen LNA board members vigilantly examined, sorted, and carefully folded the clothing.
“During our ‘Closet’ day, we’ll have as many as 20 volunteers here helping us set up a “store” where community members can select the clothing and shoes they need, having a nice ‘shopping experience’ – except everything is free,” explained Urdes.
LNA Public Safety Chair, Lents NET Team lead Robert Schultz helps out, by pairing up and sorting shoes.
In addition to the BPS grant, the LNA project is supported by the East Portland Community [formerly Neighborhood] Office, East Portland Neighbors, Inc., and the Lents Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Also, the Portland Adventist Community Services “COW Mobile Food Pantry” will be there, loaded with food; and, the CareOregon goMobile will be present to offer one-on-one help with enrolling in Medicaid/OHP, obtaining medical referrals, and getting medical appointments.
The Lents Community Clothing Closet Day will take place from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at the Lents Activity Center, 8835 SE Woodstock Boulevard, 97266
For more information, see the LNA Facebook page: CLICK HERE.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™