A Lawrence organization that provides free clothing, care kits and more is moving into a new space and leaning on community collaboration.
Clare’s Community Closet founder Clare Nderagakura said she wanted to focus more on the side of mutual aid, a community-based model in which people voluntarily exchange resources. The closet partners with Megan Haase-Divine and her nonprofit, Give It, Get It Inc.
Nderagakura launched the closet as a “love project” when she saw the need arise during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she wanted to give back to the community that has given her so much support throughout her life.
The closet has moved into a storefront at 1729 Bullene Ave., Unit B. It’s a few blocks north and west of 19th Street and Haskell Avenue. GIGI will also be there.
The new space is shared with First Step Fitness, a Lawrence gym founded by Lotti Lottinville.
Although GIGI will keep its nonprofit status, the closet will be operating under a slightly different system moving forward. Clare’s Community Closet will only accept monetary donations through online channels — not at the storefront.
Nderagakura said the closet isn’t and never was a nonprofit, as she feels the cons of that model outweigh the pros for her. But partnering with GIGI allows folks to choose between making tax-deductible donations or giving mutual aid to the closet.
“I don’t want to accept any cash at the store, like I don’t want people thinking that’s something they have to do,” Nderagakura said. “I really want people who really understand the mission and understand mutual aid and all that can come with the community closet, that if they want to keep it open, I want them to help lead that.”
Gently used and new item donations, such as clothing, shoes, furniture and more can be donated to the storefront. Another big project the closet takes on is creating winter care packs that include items such as hand warmers, tarps, socks, gloves, beanies, travel-size hygiene products and more.
Nderagakura asks that people with large items to donate, such as couches and tables, reach out on social media or via email to coordinate pickups and dropoffs. In the past, when people have asked Nderagakura if anyone could benefit from their specific items, oftentimes she was able to quickly identify and connect with local families or individuals with the need.
Nderagakura said Lottinville, who has been Clare’s Community Closet’s only paid employee for the past two years, made space for them at her gym. First Step Fitness offers financial accessibility to its clients.
“Lotti stuck with us, and now we’re able to stick with her, basically,” Nderagakura said. “(First Step Fitness) is also kind of in line with our goals and beliefs. And it’s kind of pay as you can. She obviously has clients that can pay full price, but then she wants to make sure people who can’t really pay for a gym membership can still get their workouts in.”
Clare’s Community Closet will be open from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday this week for folks who need items, but appointments are required. Appointments can be made by sending a direct message to the Clare’s Community Closet Facebook page or by emailing clarescommunitycloset@gmail.com.
They’ll also have a Christmas decoration giveaway from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, with no appointments necessary.
The organization will begin accepting item donations to the store beginning next week. Appointments are also required for dropoffs.
Nderagakura said she continues to seek grants and other sources of funding. Right now, she’s looking to reach a goal of $900 for December and is currently at around $450. Contributions can be made through the Venmo account for GIGI, @shop_GIGI; Nderagakura’s Venmo account, @clare-nderagakura1, and Cashapp account, $clarenderagakura; Clare’s Community Closet’s PayPal account, clarescommunitycloset@gmail.com; and GIGI’s Patreon page. Coordinate with Nderagakura or Haase-Divine for other options.
Facebook is the best way to stay up to date with Clare’s Community Closet. The organization also has an Instagram page, @clarescommunitycloset.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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