Jeans and T-shirts and backpacks, oh my! The Gay-Straight Alliance and Creighton Center for Service and Justice are sponsoring the first Out of the Closet Clothing Drive to help local shelters’ clothing supply and the Creighton community’s spring cleaning.
From March 16-27, bins are set up in a variety of locations where students may drop off any clothing or accessories they wish to donate. A large red bin will be located in the CCSJ office, located in the Harper Center 2067, during the clothing drive period. Next week from March 23-27, bins will be available on Skinner Mall.
“Think about all that stuff people normally throw out,” said Arts & Sciences senior and vice president of GSA Beth Straley. “If you are not going to use it, give it to people who really need it.”
The Out of the Closet Clothing Drive welcomes any kind of donation: jeans, T-shirts, skirts, jackets and even accessories such as backpacks and purses. Donations are sorted according to the needs of the individual shelters of Together Inc., Lydia House and the Salvation Army.
“It’s a simple project though,” said Arts & Sciences junior, CCSJ Student Coordinator and GSA member Chadi El-Khoury. “We are especially targeting Creighton students who are Omaha residents for any clothing they are willing to donate.”
The GSA and CCSJ encourage Creighton students to ask parents and neighbors in their communities to donate items of clothing. Straley explained a need for children’s clothes and professional attire. Faculty, staff, administration and parents of students are welcome to drop off any donations during the clothing drive.
“Residence Life is involved by having bins in the lobby and getting word out to students,” said Shara Mahoe, Arts & Sciences senior and assistant resident director of Kiewit Hall. “With a combined effort of all the residence halls and other participating departments, the overall turnout would probably be better than expected.”
Bins are available during the allotted times. Pick-ups will be made in residence halls and individual pick-ups are available if needed.
Straley explained how she wished to make GSA more service-oriented.
“We want to get GSA out there as an organization that supports everyone, not just straight, gay, bisexual and transgender,” Straley said. “We have lots of people who volunteer as individuals, but this is our chance to expand as an organization.”
Straley and El-Khoury were both excited to connect two organizations that are not usually linked.
“GSA is lucky to collaborate with CCSJ, since they have more experience coordinating with shelters and getting updates from them,” Straley said.
El-Khoury said the CCSJ is open and willing to work in the future on social and justice issues with GSA.