Clothesline for Arlington Kids

EIN: 81-5100482

Mission Statement

Our mission is to collect new and clean, excellent quality used clothing from the community, and distribute it free-of-charge to
low-income school-aged children in a welcoming space.

Program Summary

The Clothesline collects clothes in new or excellent condition from the community and distributes them to low-income school-aged children  – free of charge.  We operate in a space that is welcoming to our clients and provides a dignified shopping experience.  Families can select clothing twice per year, picking out a full wardrobe for each qualifying child.  The basic wardrobe includes 5 pairs of new underwear and socks (given once per school year), 5 shirts, and 4 pants or shorts.  Additionally, we usually are able to provide shoes, dresses, bras, winter coats, swimsuits, PJs, hat/gloves, and accessories, depending on availability and season.  Our objective is for kids and teens to go to school feeling dignified and comfortable in their clothes so they can concentrate on their education.

Impact Statement

In 2024, thanks to the generosity of the Arlington community, we were able to deliver nearly 55,000 items of clothing to 1,545 low-income school kids in Arlington.  These wardrobes of clothing included nearly 2,200 pairs of shoes as well as 2,000 coats and light jackets.  These kids and families received a full season’s worth of clothing – saving them significant money for their tight budgets.  We were also pleased to move to our new location in 2024, providing a new bright space for families and volunteers.

What ways can the public get involved?

You can support The Clothesline in 4 ways:

Donate funds to support our welcoming store
Donate new or excellent quality used clothing appropriate for school-kids (K-12)
Host a clothing or shoe drive – contact us for information how to prepare the donations for delivery to The Clothesline
Volunteer at the store – helping sort and hang clothing donations, or assisting families as they shop in the store

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Your financial donations support expenses related to providing a welcoming and dignified shopping experience for families – including paying for rent and our dedicated staff.  Donations also critically fund purchases of items that must be acquired new (socks & underwear) or that we rarely get receive in satisfactory used condition (shoes, bras). 

Information provided March 2025