Announcements

It's My Closet

To meet some of the challenges of Lafayette School Corporation students who are living in poverty, in December 2005 Jefferson High School opened a store called It’s My Closet. The store, specializing in gently used clothing, furniture, and household items, is open for Jeff students and their families, Tecumseh students and their families, Sunnyside students and their families, and elementary students and their families. All items are given to shoppers at no cost. There is no limit to the amount of clothing or household items that families may take. We ask only they take what they need, so others can find what they need also.

The store and donation center are located in portable classrooms behind the old Durgan School, 18th Street and Hiatt Drive. Lafayette School Corporation donates the use of the buildings and also pays the utilities. All workers are volunteers; no one is paid for their time or donations.

Items that are usually not taken at It’s My Closet are given to the Veteran’s Home (clothing items for the elderly), Jenk’s Rest (craft items), and a church in Stockwell (items for a free clothing store in Stockwell, a mission in Appalachia, a Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota, and a Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico). Extra-small bars of soap from hotels are taken to Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Homeless Shelter. All other items that will not be used at It’s My Closet are given to Goodwill. We truly recycle!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

WHO CAN SHOP AT IT’S MY CLOSET?

Any family with a child who attends a school in Lafayette School Corporation can shop at It’s My Closet for 30 minutes once a week. The child must be present for the immediate family to shop. Children K-8 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

A student’s immediate family includes mother, father, brother, sister and children of the student. Immediate family does not include aunts, uncles or cousins. Immediate family includes grandparents only if the child lives in the same house as the grandparents.

WHERE IS IT’S MY CLOSET LOCATED?

It’s My Closet is located in two portable classrooms behind the old Durgan Elementary School, on the corner of 18th Street and Hiatt Drive, across the street from Jefferson High School. If you drive down the street as if you are headed to the Tippecanoe County Health Dept., then turn in to the right behind the chain-link fence. We are back by the playground in two portable classrooms.

WHEN CAN I SHOP AT IT’S MY CLOSET?

A Jefferson or Oakland High School students may shop with immediate family on Tuesdays for 30 minutes between 3:30-5 p.m. or Saturdays between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jefferson and Oakland students must bring their school ID. Families may shop only one time each week.

A Tecumseh students may shop with immediate family on Wednesdays for 30 minutes between 3:30-5 p.m. or Saturdays between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tecumseh students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and must have an It’s My Closet ID. Families may shop only one time each week.

A Sunnyside students may shop with immediate family on Wednesdays for 30 minutes between 3:30-5 p.m. or Saturdays between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunnyside students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and must have an It’s My Closet ID. Families may shop only one time each week.

An Elementary students may shop with immediate family on Thursdays for 30 minutes between 3:30-5 p.m. or Saturdays for 30 minutes between 10 a.m.-noon. Elementary students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and must have an It’s My Closet ID. Families may shop only one time each week.

WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDREN AT MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL? WHEN DO I SHOP?

Because a family can shop only one time per week, they must choose the day appropriate for the child they are bringing. For example, if a family has children at Sunnyside, Jeff and Vinton, the family can shop on Wednesday (the Sunnyside child must be present) OR Tuesday (the Jeff child must be present), OR Saturday morning (the elementary child must be present) OR Saturday afternoon (the Sunnyside or Jeff student must be present). Whenever the family shops, they may bring the entire immediate family (who lives with them) and can shop for the entire immediate family.

DO I HAVE TO BRING ALL OF MY CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO SHOP FOR THEM?

Parents must bring the child who has the It’s My Closet ID that is needed for that day. Parents are not allowed to shop without a child with an It’s My Closet ID or a Jeff/Oakland ID. Parents do not need to bring other children. Parents can shop for all of the immediate family members not with them.

HOW DO I GET AN IT’S MY CLOSET ID FOR MY CHILD?

It’s My Closet IDs are issued the first time the student shops at the store. IDs are issued for each child who attends LSC. A paper showing that the student is enrolled in LSC is necessary. Parents should keep the It’s My Closet ID so it doesn’t get lost.

WHAT IF I LOSE MY CHILD’S IT’S MY CLOSET ID?

It’s My Closet IDs are replaced one time during the school year. If the ID is lost again, the family can no longer shop at It’s My Closet that school year.

WHAT ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE AT IT’S MY CLOSET?

One never knows what is available because It’s My Closet depends on donations. It’s My Closet may have clothes (newborn to adult), kitchen items, books, winter coats and other winter clothing, shoes, purses, suitcases, baskets and jackets. However, all of these items may not be available each day.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SHOP AT IT’S MY CLOSET?

All items are free with the exception of donated new jewelry, which costs 25 cents. Funds from the jewelry sales are used to purchase items for the store.

IS THERE A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH I CAN TAKE?

Shoppers should take only items that are needed so that others can find what they require. Shoppers should not take everything available in their sizes. Families taking items for garage sales, for friends/cousins, or taking too many items will be banned.

WHO RUNS IT’S MY CLOSET?

Ms. Melinda Gilbert and Donna Osborn founded It’s My Closet and volunteer to manage it. All workers are volunteers. No one is paid. LSC generously provides the buildings and pays for utilities.

WHAT ITEMS CAN I DONATE TO IT’S MY CLOSET?

Gently used items are accepted any day that It’s My Closet is open. Tax receipts are available for donations. Donated items should still be in good condition and usable. Clothing for all ages, kitchen items, household items, shoes, socks, hats, coats, gloves, scarves, books, CDs, decorations, sheets, blankets, purses, suitcases, jewelry and small furniture pieces are all appreciated at It’s My Closet. Unacceptable items include used underwear, broken items, and alcohol, tobacco, or drug-related items.

WHEN CAN I DONATE ITEMS TO IT’S MY CLOSET?

Items can be donated on any day It's My Closet is open for shoppers. Times for donations are Tuesdays-Thursdays 2-5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. These are not shopping times, only donating times. Check calendar for exact dates.

CAN I GIVE MONEY TO IT’S MY CLOSET?

Checks should be made out to It’s My Closet. Financial donations can be mailed to It’s My Closet, c/oStephanie Berryman, Jefferson High School, 1801 S. 18th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905.

WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?

For more information, contact Ms Gilbert or Donna Osborn at [email protected]