New professional clothes closet for UMKC students
UMKC Career Services is collecting donations for a new professional clothes closet for UMKC students to open in spring 2018. The project, launched by staff in several offices across the university, aims to offer gently used business attire for students to wear for career fairs, interviews and internships.
“It gives students who don’t have that option in their lives access to what they need,” said Scott Crawford, director of UMKC Career Services, who started his role in August and brought the idea of the closet to campus.
Crawford started a similar program at Wabash College in Indiana after meeting students who lost their belongings in Hurricane Katrina and needed professional clothing for an event. He donated a suit he’d outgrown.
“The closet became one of our most popular programs there, and has the potential to be here at UMKC, too,” Crawford said. “It’s also a great way to connect alumni with students and UMKC.”
Once it’s open, students will be able to check out clothes for free and return them unlaundered. The closet will oversee drycleaning.
The closet, which will earn its official name through a student contest, is accepting donations now. Donations are tax deductible.
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations will be used to dry clean clothes once they are returned from students and for purchasing necessary items for the closet, including hangers and sizes/styles of clothing that haven’t been donated.
In-Kind Donations
Clothing donations should be new or gently-used items that fit business professional and business casual styles. All styles are accepted for men and women. Limit donations to items from the past five years that are currently in fashion.
Suggested items include:
- Suits and blazers
- Blouses and professional sweaters
- Men’s dress shirts
- Dress pants
- Ties, dress belts and professional accessories
- Gently-worn shoes
- Dress socks and hosiery (only new will be accepted—these items will be given to students to keep)
Mail donations (money or clothing) to UMKC Career Services: Atterbury Student Success Center, 5000 Holmes St., 2nd Floor, Kansas City, MO 64110.
Drop-off items to any of the following locations between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.:
UMKC Career Services Office
Atterbury Student Success Center, 2nd Floor
5000 Holmes St.
UMKC Office of Student Involvement
Student Union, Room 320
5100 Cherry St.
Bloch School Career Center
Bloch Executive Hall, Room 102
5108 Cherry St.
Health Sciences Campus
1418 Health Sciences Building
2464 Charlotte St.
Questions? Contact UMKC Career Services at 816-235-1636.