By Marshall Miller

Almost forty years ago in 1970 STEAC volunteers recognized the need to supply clothing to needy families. A downtown garage owned by the city became available, and STEAC lobbied hard to get the building. At first clothing was piled on the floor, but with shelving from the UC Davis Bargain Barn and some hard work, the STEAC clothing closet was born.

Over the years the clothing closet has grown, but the location and purpose have remained the same. This past month the clothing closet received a much needed upgrade. A local contractor, Doug Bean, installed new carpets and new shelving and brought the electrical wiring up to code. Finally, the walls were painted by volunteer Nancy Schweister to give the closet a new look.

STEAC provides clothing to low-income families and individuals. As with all STEAC programs, our clients are referred by local agencies. The clients come to the closet, and volunteers help them select clothing. Appointments can be made on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. Clients are allowed up to 10 articles of clothing per person, and they can make appointments no more than once every 3 months.

Last year STEAC gave clothing to 655 individuals from 307 families. Most of the clothing closet clients are from Davis, but we serve people from all over Yolo County.

STEAC provides clothing appropriate for casual wear including shoes, pants, shirts, and outerwear. Monetary donations to STEAC provide funds to purchase new underwear and socks. Clothing received from donors allows us to stock most items our clients need in both warm and cooler times of the year.

STEAC programs rely heavily on our volunteers to make them successful, and the clothing closet is no exception. There are five volunteers that stock the clothes, assist clients, and run the closet.

The closet chairperson, Nancy Schweister, enjoys working directly with the clients, who are all “very gracious and appreciative.” Clothing closet volunteers often work shifts alone, but Nancy fondly remembers a day when all the volunteers worked together.

This past December STEAC’s holiday program provided food and presents to low income families. The clothing closet volunteers brought many racks of winter coats so clients could take home warm clothing along with their holiday presents.

After watching so many families getting food, presents, and winter coats, Nancy remembers thinking, “If that was all there was about Christmas, I’d be totally satisfied.”

Marie Bockwinkel has volunteered in the clothing closet for about nine years. When she started, her seventh grade daughter, Julia, would come with her to the closet to help out. Since then, Marie and Julia have spent many days working as a team to help clients get much needed clothing. Julia is presently in college at Berkeley, but she told Marie that she is looking forward to coming home this summer and working at the clothing closet.

The closet depends on generous donations to provide clothing for our clients. If you have old or unused clothes you don’t want, please consider donating them to STEAC. Clothes must be clean and seasonal. We especially need jeans, shirts, and men’s pants. You can call STEAC at 758-5444 to make arrangements to drop off the clothes.

Marshall Miller serves as Treasurer on the STEAC board. Contact STEAC at 530-758-8435 or at steac@steac.org. Information about STEAC is available at www.steac.org.