Clothing insecurity is a hidden crisis. Learn why access to clean, weather-appropriate clothing matters for survival and dignity, and how Blanchet House helps provide essential apparel, shoes, and coats to people experiencing homelessness in Portland.
When we talk about basic human needs, food and shelter usually come to mind first. Yet clothing is just as essential, though too often forgotten. Like nourishment and safety, access to clothing is a fundamental necessity that no one should go without. Today, on Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day, I want to shine a light on a quiet but urgent crisis in our community.
The Hidden Crisis of Clothing Insecurity
Clothing insecurity means not having enough clean, suitable, or weather-appropriate apparel to meet daily needs. For people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, this challenge can be constant. When every possession must be carried in a bag or left in a camp that could be swept away, clothing is fragile, temporary, and impossible to keep safe.
A guest experiencing clothing insecurity looks through a selection of donated jackets at Blanchet House.
Access to suitable clothing is more than a matter of comfort; it’s survival. Here in Portland, OR, the weather compounds the challenges of living without stable housing. Rain and cold create urgent needs for waterproof jackets, dry socks, and warm layers. In the summer, the heat demands breathable fabrics, hats, and light clothing to prevent heat exhaustion. Every season brings new risks, and every season requires new clothing.
In addition to clothing, good shoes are critical for walking between essential services without pain or injury. Foot injuries and chronic medical conditions are extremely prevalent among the people Blanchet House serves. Often, people come to us in need of larger shoes due to swollen or bandaged feet. Sometimes, shoes are too painful to wear, requiring other footwear options.
Clothing is about dignity, too. Clean shirts and pants help people feel confident when applying for jobs or housing. We’ve had many guests come to our doors early in the morning, desperate for something clean and appropriate to wear because they are off to an interview. It makes us feel so great when we can send them off feeling optimistic. It’s a bonus when they stop by to tell us they got the job or apartment!
We also meet emergency needs for people who have soiled their clothes because of illness, injury, or accident. These can be extremely embarrassing situations for people, but our staff meets these needs with compassion and dignity. You can’t imagine the relief people experience when they get to put on clean clothing without having to experience judgment or shame.
A staff member organizes donated coats for distribution in Blanchet House’s clothing closet.
How Blanchet House Helps Guests With Clothing Needs
At Blanchet House, we see clothing insecurity up close every day. Alongside our meal services, we operate a free clothing closet, distributing thousands of items each year to individuals in need. Volunteers carefully sort, fold, and prepare clothing donations so guests can choose items with dignity, just as they would in any store.
Our most requested items are simple but vital:
- Socks and underwear (always new)
- Sturdy shoes and boots (especially in larger sizes)
- Warm coats, hats, and gloves in winter
- Lightweight shirts and pants in summer
- Rain gear is necessary year-round in Portland’s climate
These are things many of us take for granted, but for our guests, they are often life-changing.
A list of dos and don’ts for donating clothing. Illustration by Sarah Mirk.
What We Ask of Clothing Donors
We encourage donors to think about the kind of clothing they would want for themselves or their loved ones. Clothing should be clean, gently used, and in good repair. No one deserves stained, torn, or unwearable items. When you donate clothing that is usable and dignified, you affirm the worth of every individual who receives it.
This illustrated guide provides helpful information when considering what clothing to donate.
Clothing donations are an activity that families, businesses, and organizations can do together. Consider sponsoring a sock drive at your school, a coat drive at your business, or a clothing drive in your neighborhood. You can also browse Blanchet’s Amazon Wishlist for bulk items we always need, as well as special requests that we add from time to time to meet a current need.
A corporate volunteer group celebrates after successfully sorting and labeling donated shoes in Blanchet House’s clothing closet.
The Bigger Picture: Why the Need Is Growing
As we mark this Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day, it’s impossible to ignore the broader forces shaping this crisis. Rising rents, skyrocketing utility costs, and everyday essentials becoming more expensive force families and individuals to make impossible choices. Do I pay the electric bill or buy my child a new pair of shoes? Do I cover rent or replace a worn-out winter coat?
With upcoming federal reductions in benefits like SNAP (food benefits) and Medicaid, these tradeoffs will only intensify. For many, clothing becomes the expense that gets postponed—or skipped entirely—because survival requires prioritizing food, shelter, transportation, and healthcare. But postponing clothing needs often leads to further harm: illness from exposure, missed opportunities, and diminished self-worth.
How You Can Help
Clothing insecurity is solvable. Each of us can be part of the solution by donating thoughtfully, volunteering to help distribute clothing, or supporting organizations like Blanchet House financially so we can continue to meet these pressing needs.
This Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day, I invite you to look into your closet and ask: What could I share that would help someone survive, feel respected, and move forward?
When we provide clothing, we offer more than fabric. We offer protection, dignity, and hope. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community must face the world without the basic clothing we all deserve.
