‘Our Kids Kloset’ seeks new home so it can reopen doors
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The door to “Our Kids Kloset” closed in August when the Trinity School District needed another classroom to accommodate its growing student population.
But Janey Hrutkay is spearheading efforts to reopen it.
All the group needs is a new place to call home.
“I’ve been helping out for many years. I still get requests,” said Hrutkay, who has been involved with the organization for five years.
Our Kids Kloset is a free, gently used clothing program for children. The group began operations at the former Washington Mall, where they paid for heat and electricity. When the wing in which it was located closed, the Trinity School District came to the rescue, offering space at the high school, Trinity East Elementary School and, most recently, Trinity South Elementary School.
“Most of the clothes are donated by Trinity families, but are distributed to any family in need in the Washington area,” said Hrutkay, adding that between 40 and 60 families have sought clothing through Our Kids Kloset on a fairly regular basis.
“Families take what they need or want. It’s a nice thing,” she said. “We had eight to 12 racks full at any given time. Anybody who knew of us and needed anything, we’d help them out.”
The clothing ranged from infants through teens, and even though most of it was donated by Trinity families, the group partnered with a local seasonal consignment company that donated unsold clothing to Our Kids Kloset as well.
“We collect the clothing, hang it up, size it, etc., and it is a very appreciated resource in our school systems,” she said.
When Our Kids Kloset disbanded, Hrutkay said the clothing was donated to various area charities. However, once a new home is found, “It will be no time at all before we get the clothes we need,” Hrutkay said.
The group needs space about the size of a large classroom to accommodate 10 to 12 racks of clothing. The program operates year-round, with a two-hour open house held once a week for “shoppers.”
Anyone willing to donate space is asked to contact Janey Hrutkay at jhrutkay@clubcalves.com.