The Sharing Shelf Unveils Unsettling New Data On Clothing Insecurity

PORT CHESTER, NY — Along with food and shelter, clothing is one of the most basic needs of survival, but data released by The Sharing Shelf finds that this basic necessity is becoming more and more out of reach for many.

The Sharing Shelf, the nonprofit clothing bank serving Westchester, unveiled new data on clothing insecurity in the county. The data covers the five-year period from 2018 through 2023 and highlights trends in The Sharing Shelf’s efforts to address clothing insecurity, or the lack of sufficient properly sized and seasonally appropriate clothing for children and teens in need.

The organization has been busier than ever before:

• Social-service agencies, schools, and other nonprofits served: 53 in 2018, 123 in 2023
• Winter coats distributed: 702 in 2018, 2,294 in 2023
• 7-day Wardrobe packs provided: 1,809 in 2018, 4,907 in 2023
• Applications for clothing received: 1,863 in 2018, 5,579 in 2023

The Sharing Shelf says that this data shows the growing challenge of clothing insecurity in the county and the increasing need for clothing.

While Westchester is one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., its poverty rate for children under five grew from 9.5 percent to 11.7 percent from 2021 to 2022, according to Westchester Children’s Association, and over 67,000 children and teens live in poverty or a low-income home.

Children who are clothing insecure are more likely to be bullied by their peers and miss school, often leading them to fall back academically. During the high school years, they are more likely to drop out with lifelong social, emotional, health, and economic impacts. However, studies show that school attendance and academic performance improve in children and teens provided with clean clothing. Appropriate clothing can boost a child’s or teen’s self-esteem and motivation.

"Clothing insecurity needs to be tackled in conjunction with the better-recognized food insecurity and housing insecurity," Deborah Blatt, Founder and Executive Director of The Sharing Shelf, said. "This data reveals the extent of the challenge in Westchester and the need to address it fully."

For more information, call 917-921-8034 or send an email to this address.

The Sharing Shelf is a nonprofit clothing bank serving Westchester County. It operates a warehouse in Port Chester, where new and gently used clothes are collected, volunteers screen the clothes for quality, and the clothes are distributed for free to low-income children and teens through social-service agencies, schools, and other nonprofits. In each case, the ultimate recipient is a child or teen in need, and the clothing provided is both age- and season-appropriate, fits properly, and boosts the individual’s esteem and confidence.

SEE ALSO: The Sharing Shelf Opens A Teen Boutique For Westchester Teens In Need