"I didn't know how I would buy my son a coat …"

The Cardinal McCloskey Clothes Closet operates out of our South Bronx Family Outreach Center. Through charitable contributions of clothing, families in need are provided with coats, hats, gloves and other cold weather wear as well as other apparel at no charge.

Each year, the Cardinal McCloskey Clothes Closet helps nearly 100 needy families meet their clothing needs.

Clothing is usually available for all members of the family. For low-income mothers going into the workforce, the Clothes Closet often provides interview attire and helps provide clothing for beginning the new job. For children, play clothing as well as school clothing is often available. For men, there is frequently suit jackets or other business attire available. Many families participating in the Cardinal McCloskey Family Outreach programs are barely surviving financially and need the assistance provided by the Clothes Closet.

For more information about organizing a clothing-drive or making a clothing donation, please contact our Development Office at (914) 997-8000, ext. 114.

The Clothes Closet is available to all community residents. Many are referred to Cardinal McCloskey by other area not-for-profit agencies including homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, immigration services and job training programs. In the past, the Clothes Closet has helped to re-cloth a family devastated by a fire in their apartment building as well as a mother and her young children living in a near-by battered women's shelter.

The Clothes Closet relies on the contributions of clothing from community members. Clothing must be clean and VERY GENTLY used. Torn or stained clothing is discarded and not acknowledged as a donation. Donations of undergarments including socks and slips as well as swimsuits are discarded and not acknowledged as donations.

"It was my first interview in my life. I was so scared, but at least I knew I looked good. The suit I got from Cardinal McCloskey was just right. They even had a pair of shoes for me. I looked like I could do the job."

"I had to go to a hearing and I wanted to wear a suit but I didn't have one and there was no way I could afford one. Cardinal McCloskey gave me a nice jacket and a pair of pants and it was fine."

"I was just laid-off and it got so cold suddenly. My 3-year old son needed a warm coat. His old coat didn't fit anymore. Cardinal McCloskey gave him a coat and hat and gloves too. He's so happy. The coat is red and that's his favorite color."