Subject: [workmom] delayed response to donated clothing question
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 11:24:03 EDT

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for the responses about where to donate gently used
women's work clothes. I apologize for the delayed response. I was laid
off (a budget cut casualty based on seniority) and had a few
demonically busy weeks to finish stories. 

Pretty much everyone responded with suggesting Dress for Success. I am
including some of the problems people emailed me about them. Also,
according to its web site, the charity is VERY picky, only accepting
suits and they must be no older than two years. This won't work for me,
but here's the roundup of responses:

I heard that there is a store for the National Council of Jewish Women
in West Orange that sells the clothing and then uses the fees to support
programming.  I am not sure where it is.  The Red Cross - which I donate
to - just sells the cloths as bulk by the pound. I was actually
disappointed when I found out because I donated a beautiful maternity
wardrobe to them.  I must say that it was easy.

I tried to donate suits to Dress For Success and I found them to be
very particular.  They wanted size 18 and up and the suits could not be
more than 2 years old.  It's ridiculous since I had suits which were in
excellent condition.

Hi, sorry about the private email but I cannot post to the work mom
site.  Anyway, how about the Junior League thrift/consignment shops?
there's one in Millburn and in Summit. 


Also, 2 possible outlets through NCJW (National Council of Jewish
Women), an organization that helps women, children & families in the
community

973-994-4994 - NCJW Center for Women- they do job training, could ask if
they are interested in any business clothes for clients

NCJW Thrift Shop 973-673-NCJW - can view more info on NCJW website
http://www.ncjwessex.org/  and hit Thrift Shop link on left

They didn't want us to do a collection at B'nai jeshurun...too many size
4s and not enough size 20s.  I found it oddly amusing.

I wound up bringing the casual clothes to Red Cross. My rabbi suggested
a charity for the work clothes and as I dig through the potential
Superfund site that is my desk, I may actually find that. If it works
out, I'll send an email so others can know about it.

Best,
Jackie