Clothing is a basic need, yet it remains largely absent from America’s conversation about poverty and affordability.
Families struggling to cover housing, food, healthcare, childcare and transportation are often forced to postpone buying clothing for growing children. It may be the most deferred expense in the household budget, but the consequences cannot always be deferred. Without properly fitting clothing and shoes, children and teens can experience embarrassment, social isolation, missed school and lost opportunities.
On National Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day – September 15, 2026 – The Sharing Shelf and dozens of clothing banks across the country are coming together to make this overlooked hardship visible, share new national data and call for clothing to be recognized as an essential part of every child’s well-being. We will release the results of the first national survey of clothing banks across America – 30 programs in 17 states shared their experience addressing this core need.
Registration opens on September 1, 2026. Click here to add your name to the list.
