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The Vanderbilt Health Clothes Closet is a program that assists adult patients and adult family members of patients with their clothing needs. It is operated by the Guest Services department, with the support of Transition Management Office Social Work, which assists with donations, upkeep and fulfillment.
The reasons for individuals needing the services of the Clothes Closet vary – sometimes patients are unhoused; at times patients are transported to Vanderbilt after a trauma and have no clothing of their own to wear after discharge; sometimes a family member rushes to the hospital from hours away without an opportunity to prepare for a long-term stay.
Kim Dunham, Guest Services Manager, notes that the Clothes Closet is always in need of donations and prefers tangible donations of clothing and shoes. The clothing (except for undergarments and socks) may be used, but should be clean and not in need of repair.
Dunham says the most acute needs now are for men’s clothing in smaller sizes; women’s clothing in plus sizes, and new underwear of all sizes for both men and women.
Here is the general list of the most commonly needed items:
- Men’s sweatpants or athletic pants/shorts
- Men’s shoes and flip flops (no dress shoes)
- Men’s T-shirts (long or short sleeve)
- Men’s button-down shirts (for patients with arm/shoulder injuries)
- Women’s T-shirts (long or short sleeve)
- Women’s pants and leggings
- Women’s shoes and flip flops (no dress shoes)
- New underpants for men and women
- New bra for women
- New socks for men and women
- Belts
- Maternity wear
- Coats and jackets for men and women
“We’d like to encourage more casual clothing items, as we don’t have a need for business-casual or dressier pieces,” Dunham said.
For more information or to arrange a drop-off of donated clothing or shoes, contact Dunham at kimberly.dunham@vumc.org