Hays CISD Clothes Closet seeks community donations

KYLE — Hays CISD trustee Esperanza Orosco began the original Clothes Closet in her classroom in the late 2000s. Little did she know that more than a decade later, she would be aiding more than 1,000 children each year with donations. Now, the organization is asking for community help to provide children with clothes during the summer heat.

“I was a fourth-grade bilingual teacher [at Camino Real Elementary School] at the time and I saw some of my students that were coming in without coats, with torn shoes, with clothes that didn’t fit them and they were embarrassed,” recalled Orosco. “I started organizing with my family and friends [to find clothes]. I started, once a month, putting clothes out and inviting all my students and their families to come shop and they loved it.”

As each “pop-up” shop occurred, she noticed that her students were bringing their families from other classrooms that also needed help and then, eventually, children from all over the school: “I saw people coming, not only from our school, but then people started coming from other schools because their neighbor told them or this and that. I realized that this is a lot bigger than I thought and so, I knew there was a need.”

Determined to help more students, she set up shop in an extra classroom, where the program ran for a year before rapid growth in the district — and subsequently, Camino Real Elementary School — forced its closure, due to the lack of space. In 2016, when she was elected onto the school board, she broached the idea of a full program, but was met with a lack of support from the former superintendent; however, with Dr. Eric Wright's arrival in 2018, he was nothing but enthusiastic about the idea, said Orosco. Since then, Orosco has continued to run the program, as a volunteer, and has outgrown the portable they were initially in and moved into the former district Wellness Center at 3839B E. FM 150, Kyle.

The Clothes Closet provides an opportunity for students and families to sign up with an online form for either clothing, food or school supplies and receive items twice a semester, according to the board member. Students, if needed, will walk out with five shirts, five bottoms, shoes and new underwear and socks, with the option to come in and shop around themselves or to have the items pre-picked and waiting for pickup.

The program also has a limited number of infant and toddler clothing to support the children’s siblings or students in the Hays CISD Pregnancy, Education and Parenting program, as well as a prom shop for highschoolers.

“All the contributions come from the community and beyond. I’ve had people from across the state of Texas, and even out of state, that have seen an article and donated online to help us  meet our goal of making sure that every kiddo that applies does receive those five tops, five bottoms, shoes, new socks [and] new underwear,” Orosco said.

Donations are available through multiple sources: a Target wish list at bit.ly/3W3qNPh; a monetary donation at bit.ly/3xFMBae; or by simply donating clothes.

“If you wouldn’t put your child in it, that’s not something that we want,” she emphasized. “We want to make sure that our kids feel comfortable and confident in what they’re wearing.”

Right now, the biggest need is shorts, explained Orosco, in various sizes, as children are eligible from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade — as long as they are a student in the district — but that an emphasis is being put on shorts that will fit younger children.

Orosco also reminded the community that donations can come in the form of time, too, by volunteering. With the new 40-hour volunteer requirement that is needed to graduate, she continued, this is a great opportunity for students to begin helping their community: “It just makes a really good connection for them to understand we’re all in this together, [ask] how can we help each other and empower each other. That’s what community is about. It’s not just a handout. I have a lot of the same students and families [that receive donations] come and volunteer, as well, and be part of that solution and helping others.”

Forms will be available in the coming weeks to sign up for food, clothing or school supplies. Until then, the most updated information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HaysCISDClothesCloset. For any questions or for more information, community members can email [email protected].

“We want to help … to grow this program and make sure that kids focus on what they need to focus on, which is just being at school, having fun and learning and not worry about their clothing,” concluded Orosco.