THE CLOTHING CLOSET
The Clothing Closet offers free good quality clothing in a thrift store environment to help people stretch their budgets. Generous donors provide great finds. Caring volunteers make the atmosphere friendly, fun and relaxed. Respectfully, together we make the love of Jesus tangible.
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SHOPPING FREQUENCY
To help serve a growing need for The Clothing Closet, we will be making some changes. We have seen tremendous growth. In the last year, we have had 4800+ visits and hundreds of new people.
Beginning January 9, 2025, there must be at least 14 days between visits. For example, if you visit on January 9, the soonest you may visit again is January 23 or later. In other words, you may not come two weeks in a row.
We regret this may mean that you may not be able to fulfill all of your family’s clothing needs at The Clothing Closet. We are doing our best to share the clothing with as many as possible. We are thankful for your respect and cooperation.
Thank you, Lisa, Coordinator, The Clothing Closet
More shopping information here
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IN THE NEWS
October 13, 2024 - Guelph Mercury Tribune
October 7, 2024 - Guelph Today
September 4, 2024 - CBC/KW
August 22, 2024 – CTV Kitchener
August 20, 2024 – Guelph Mercury Tribune
August 12, 2024 - Guelph Today
April 28, 2024 - Guelph Mercury Tribune
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WHAT WE OFFER
The Closet has returned to its core offerings of clothing and linens only. “It’s so well organized, super easy to find the types and sizes of clothes I was looking for,” says Bonnie Tice, Aftercare Manager at Michael House. To create the additional space for clothes, we no longer offer household items or toys.
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REGISTRATION
We collect a small amount of information to help us provide you with the best possible experience of New Life Church's ministries. When your register, you will be asked to provide picture identification that includes your name, birth year, city, and what neighbourhood you live in. A few other questions are optional, but appreciated so we can serve our community better. You will receive a membership card to use each time you check in. You may pre-register here and complete your registration by showing your picture identification at the registration table when you come.
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SHOPPING HOURS​
Thursdays OPEN 9:30 – 12:00 (Doors close at 11:45 a.m.) & 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Doors close at 6:45 p.m.)
CLOSED
Thursday February 27 all day. We will be hosting a polling station.
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​DONATIONS
​Gratefully accepting clean, quality clothing and linens. High needs items: men’s and kid’s clothing (size 5-14). We appreciate that you screen your items well. We do not accept items with holes, stains, pills, wring-around-the-collar, underarm stains, pills, pet fur, odors (including body odors, pet and smoke odors), etc. We appreciate freshly laundered items and take our quality very seriously. Usage of the Clothing Closet has skyrocketed and sorting through for acceptable items takes a lot of time. Thank you for your consideration.
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Come around to the double back doors. Please ring the doorbell on the right door frame – it’s REALLY important not to leave them outside – they get ruined. So please wait for someone to greet you. Please note that we can only accept donations in the allotted hours. We really appreciate your support and understanding.
Donations Hours --- subject to minor changes
CLOSED ON LONG WEEKENDS & CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR'S
Mondays 9:30 - 2:30 EXCEPT Mar 10
Tuesdays Sorry, ABSOLUTELY NO DONATIONS ON TUESDAYS
Wednesdays 9:30 - 2:30 EXCEPT Wed Feb 26 all day
Thursdays 9:30 - 2:30 & 5:00 - 6:30 EXCEPT Feb 27 (we will be hosting a polling station) Fridays 9:30 - 2:30 EXCEPT Mar 7 & 14
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VOLUNTEERING
Our volunteers, the heart and soul of the Clothing Close, truly care for the community and each other. Volunteering is very rewarding and we welcome new people to join us. Volunteers receiving incoming donations, process and display clothing, and engage with the community while keeping the Clothing Closet tidy. Volunteers are well screened. Please contact the Coordinator if you are interested in joining the team.
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GIVING
The Clothing Closet is run on a ‘shoestring’ budget. We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for the bulk of our operating costs.
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CLOSET
​“Hi there, I've been visiting your establishment for the past month and would like to share how happy I am to have found you! The selection of kid's clothing is amazing - there's a variety of sizes, the quality is as good as new and the stock is plentiful. The location is well kept and tidy, the volunteers are helpful, engaging and always have a smile on their faces. Might I add that the volunteers that serve coffee and pastries are so kind and generous (the pastries are divine by the way!)”
“Thank you so much, what a wonderful experience! I think it spoke volumes to their family, knowing there was a Christian community working to help those in need. The dad was a little bit at a loss for words at the generosity and warmth he found amongst the volunteer team. They are all a bunch of lights in this world.”
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CONTACT
​Lisa Burke, Coordinator
Office hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays
400 Victoria Road, North, Guelph, Ontario N1E 5J7
519 823 5851