As the cost of living rises in Westchester, more families are struggling to meet basic needs for their children, including shoes, coats, and everyday clothing. At The Sharing Shelf, we have seen a dramatic increase in requests for help, with a threefold rise in demand since 2020. By late August, we had already received nearly 3,900 requests for clothing, and the numbers keep growing.
To better understand the challenges and the needs of those facing clothing insecurity, we surveyed our partners. The results – we found that sneakers, coats, shirts, and jeans are among the most needed items. Without these essentials, children’s self-esteem, school attendance, and social interactions suffer.