2022 presented us with some challenges. We experienced a record number of requests for clothing as demand spiked then spiked again. As of December 31, we had received a record 4,366 requests for clothing, which was 1,387 more requests than 2021 and a 149% increase over 2020. That means we needed at least 6,900 additional pairs of underwear, nearly 10,000 more pairs of socks, and close to 30,000 added clothing items like jeans, t-shirts, hoodies or coats.
We are grateful to the volunteers who join us in our warehouse to sort donations, check quality and sizes, re-check again to make sure everything is in tip-top shape, then pack orders for the children and teens in our community.
Our work succeeds thanks to partners such as Bombas, the Undies Project. the United Way of Westchester & Putnam, and Delivering Good who provide us with new clothing and other essentials like new socks and underwear. With donations from The Honey Pot Co, we ensure that every menstruating girl, woman or individual we serve can access the period products they need. Then, there are the countless individuals and area businesses, schools, churches, synagogues, and community groups who organized drives to ensure we had the supplies we needed and the inventory of coats to keep children and teens warm on cold winter days.
Take a scroll through our Facebook and Instagram to see the incredible contributions – from young children who made and sold jewelry then donated their profits, teens who organized diaper drives, clothing drives and created period kits and hygiene kits, to corporate groups including (but not limited to) PepsiCo, Christie’s, MasterCard, Regeneron, SwissRe, American Express, and Fordham University, to local businesses like 123Organize and Miller’s in Mamaroneck, nonprofit partners like Prom914, community organizations like the Junior League of Central Westchester and the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound.
It takes a community and we look forward to working together with you again in 2023 to build a better community for all infants, children, teens and their families. Let’s address clothing insecurity and help keep children in school where they can learn and thrive.
Remember to vote for The Sharing Shelf as your favorite local charity!! Voting continues until January 20, 2023.
Get involved today!
