Hillsborough County students in need of clothes for school now have a place to shop for free.
Chrissy's Closet was established by Chrissy Dorion of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Juvenile Justice Transition department. It's there to provide clothing and hygiene products to students in need.
“For a long, long time I’ve been giving clothes out of my office and out of my trunk, and I never realized that this low lying fruit was in the way of kids going to school and being successful,” Dorion said.
School district personnel and community agencies can refer students to Chrissy's Closet without any referral forms or red tape. It only takes an email or phone call to help remove the barrier that so often keeps kids out of school.
“The reality is, if you have two clean shirts to go to school every week, you’re going to go to school two times that week,” Dorion said.
The closet is a converted classroom that will house clothing for high-needs students at any Hillsborough County school. Inventory will contain casual, day-to-day clothing, in addition to business attire for job interviews and special occasion formal wear.
Chrissy’s Closet is in need of the following new or gently used donations:
Girls: Socks, panties, bras, pantyhose, belts, leggings, cold weather jackets
Boys: Jeans, boxers/briefs, ties, belts, socks, sweatshirts, cold weather jackets
Miscellaneous Items: Plastic storage tubs, plastic grocery bags, deodorant, shaving cream, cosmetics, shoe polish kits, bathing soap, storage boxes, disposable razors, wrinkle release spray.
For more information, contact Chrissy Dorion 813-228-0805.