The Sharing Shelf

The Sharing Shelf is Westchester's Clothing Bank for Children founded to address clothing insecurity among low-income children and families in our community and meet basic material needs such as socks, underwear, diapers, period products, and toiletries. The Sharing Shelf provides both a physical space and program structure that brings together typically disconnected communities within Westchester County. We engage donors who are hoping that the outgrown clothing of their children can be reused instead of resold or sent to landfills. We provide meaningful volunteer opportunities to individuals, families, teens, special-needs adults and local businesses. We also partner with social workers, schools, and community programs that support thousands of local children in need. Our warehouse operates as a hub where we engage volunteers, prepare “wardrobe packages”, and process and organize donated goods so they feel fresh and new for those who receive them. In addition to clothes, our packages include new socks and underwear/diapers, a toiletry kit, and menstruating girls receive a period kit. Our systems allow us to respond quickly to requests from all of the organizations that we partner with. The Sharing Shelf also developed other programs that address two specific needs that we noticed in our community. Our Teen Boutique program, started in 2012, is a series of free shopping day for teen girls ages 13-19 from families in financial need. At each event, teens are invited to choose their own wardrobe pieces. Each summer The Sharing Shelf runs its Backpacks to School initiative. We partner with local business and community groups to purchase new backpacks and school supplies for children in Kindergarten through high school, working with local teachers to shape our packing lists to ensure that students are receive what they need for the school year.