Cody’s Closet a fashion runway smash grows on Imperial Valley
Expanding in all dimensions Cody’s Closet, a nonprofit launched this summer providing free clothes to the underserved of Imperial County, has attracted not only more donations but many more recipients and volunteers thanks to social media and shoe leather promotion.
Since reported by the Press at the beginning of the fall, Cody’s again distributed quality second hand clothes at Grace Lutheran Church that included not only toddlers but teen, men and women’s, up to quintuple extra-large sizes, noted Heather White, founder.
“We just been blessed with donations and since people need it we’ll get it back out to them,” said White. “The more we advertise the more generous our supporters become. Only today a woman dropped off canned food.”
But with success comes growing pains and what Cody’s really needs is more building space donations.
Just two hours of time and several tables is adequate. They try to visit a different city in the Valley in addition to El Centro every month.
Recently they engaged Toys for Tots and the Westmorland Fire Department to deliver gifts in that town on Christmas Eve day that bolstered spirits for all involved.
Gathering garments for their extended families, Carolina Vasquez and her nephew Angelo Hernandez were picking out school clothes. “It’s amazing,” said Vasquez. “This helps out a lot and were especially glad to have something like this at Christmas.”
At times scrambling to keep up with the rate of inflation Melisa Velasquez was accompanied by son Abel in a stroller and daughter Marisa who have managed OK for the year yet every little bit helps, remarked Melissa.
“We come out every time Cody’s is open,” said Melissa. “She’ll put out every size, men’s and women’s. I usually get some for my kids and me.”
Alerted to Cody’s through an aunt, Janet Ojeda, a Holtville High School senior arrived for the first time. “I think it’s pretty nice, people provide for others,” she said. “And because its Christmas and New Year’s Eve, people feel more generous.”
“This is great,” said Elizabeth Gonzalez. “I have five kids and it’s hard to keep them in neat clothes. These are in such good shape.”
White along with children Reilly, Lindsay and Cody make effort to sort clothes according to gender and size, which is more work but expedites their clients search, noted Cody.
“We got a lot more clothes today,” he said. “Yesterday I went around town with posters that said, free clothes, so that helped a lot to get people in here.
And because of Cody’s Facebook page the nonprofit, Sober Living & Mental Wellness Homes provided a crew of volunteers.
Michael Montenegro, supervisor of the Brawley location, remarked it makes them feel like they are part of something bigger.
“It’s very exciting to see the smiles on the peoples’ faces,” he said. “Even though our guys have very little, they are really happy to help.”