In Philadelphia’s East Falls neighborhood, a dedicated group of volunteers is making a significant impact in the fight against clothing insecurity and environmental waste. As they sort through large blue bins filled with clean, gently used children’s clothes, shoes, and school supplies, the mission of Cradles to Crayons becomes clear.
Each year, the nonprofit organization collects hundreds of thousands of donations to ensure that children and families in need have access to essential clothing items. “All of these items are things that would probably otherwise go into landfills,” said Michal Smith, executive director of Cradles to Crayons, as she walked through rows of containers brimming with coats, dresses, and pants.
With locations in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston, Cradles to Crayons diverts more than half a million pounds of clothing from landfills annually. They distribute 1 million packages of clothing, shoes, and other essentials to deserving children and their families.
As Earth Day approaches, Cradles to Crayons is encouraging the community to consider reducing their environmental impact. The nonprofit is hosting its Spring Greening Donation Drive across the Philadelphia region, asking residents to donate unwanted, gently used items.
The fashion industry is known for being one of the largest contributors to waste, with millions of tons of fabric waste being sent to incinerators or landfills every year. This waste not only contributes to climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions, but also leaches harmful chemicals and dyes into the soil and groundwater. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American consumer discards about 80 pounds of clothing annually.
At the same time, many families are struggling to provide adequate clothing for their children, with an estimated two in five kids across the nation in need. In the Philadelphia area, about 28% of children live below the poverty line, according to data from Pew Charitable Trusts.
Smith pointed out the desperate need for resources. “For many of our kids, our clothing is the only clothing they’ll receive in a season. For many families living on minimum wage, with inflation biting like crazy now, just putting enough food on the table is tough,” she noted. “There is so much opportunity for people to think about us around Earth Day, and provide us with clothing so that we can then turn around and give it back to kids.”
To maximize the impact of their efforts, Cradles to Crayons collaborates with more than 170 partners in the Philadelphia region, including organizations like Project HOME and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These partnerships help distribute donations to families in need.
Smith emphasized the importance of ensuring that donated items are in good condition. However, she noted that any items unsuitable for donation are still repurposed rather than discarded. “As you can see, they look brand new,” she stated, holding up a pair of pink, glittery sneakers. “Any kid’s gonna feel pretty good about putting them on. We believe that quality equals dignity.”
One volunteer, Bill Eichner, was spotted meticulously cleaning children’s shoes at the warehouse. The Valley Forge resident humorously described himself and fellow volunteer Joan Craver as “cobblers at work.”
Eichner, who began volunteering for Cradles to Crayons in 2012, expressed a desire to contribute to a meaningful cause after retiring from a corporate career. “It’s amazing, you put Spray ‘n Wash on it, or if it’s white shoes that look like they’ll never get clean, you put bleach on them and they come out looking spotless,” he said. “But the key is we make sure the structure is in excellent shape.”
Craver, who began dedicating several hours a week to volunteering after retiring in 2018, shared similar sentiments. “I feel like I’m really making a difference for these kids who need help,” she said.
As spring cleaning season begins, Smith urges community members to take a closer look at their closets. “I guarantee you, there’ll be things that you’re not wearing that a kid could wear,” she said. “But environmentally, when you think about sorting through your clothing, don’t give it away irresponsibly. Don’t put it in the trash. There are other people that can use it, and it can benefit a kid.”
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/cradles-to-crayons-earth-month-clothes-donations/
