ARLINGTON — Even after a decade in operation, the Arlington Kids’ Kloset is still evolving.
While its all-volunteer staff works to get a new website online soon, they’ve already seen a greater influx of Darrington and Lakewood students than previous years.
Penny Peeters joined nine years ago, one year after it started, and now serves as the group’s vice president.
Peeters estimated that Kids’ Kloset served 1,300 kids last year, but noted that the group will only be able to serve its eligible clientele of free and reduced-price lunch students in the three school districts once a year, as opposed to its previous twice-a-year-service. It will also be closed during the summers.
Peeters reported that Kids’ Kloset averages as many as 15 volunteers a week, but admitted it could probably use at least 25 a week. That adds up to roughly 3,000 hours a month.
“Our volunteers are amazing,” Peeters said. “I also can’t say enough about the school district, from whom we lease this building.”
Kids’ Kloset co-founder Kim Meno credited the district with providing the space rent-free, and only charging a nominal fee for monthly utilities. Considering that it costs $250 to outfit each child, every discount and grant the group can get counts for a lot.
“However many miles we drive in a week to conduct Kids’ Kloset errands, each volunteer pays for their own fuel costs,” Meno said. “We write grants to cover our telephone and Internet. That way, we’re able to tell our donors that all the money they give us goes directly to clothing our kids.”
The number of children in need has only grown over the years. As Kids’ Kloset gets ready for back to school, Peeters pointed out that it’s not unusual to see 20 kids in a single morning. Meno explained that the number they serve is still only half the number of kids in the three school districts who are eligible.
“They come here and are so excited to get new shoes, coats, hats and gloves, plus toothbrushes with their favorite cartoon characters on them,” said Peeters, who added that 59 percent of the students in Darrington are on free or reduced-price lunches. “That’s more than I’ve ever seen. Before, most of our customers were from Arlington, but especially after the Oso slide, we’re seeing a lot more Darrington folks come in.”
Meno takes pride in the fact that all the families who stop by the Kids’ Kloset are treated to a pleasant shopping experience in a clean, well-organized, recently refurbished and expanded environment.
“Our extra storage space allows us to operate more efficiently,” Meno said. “It feels like a department store when families walk in. All our clothes have been sorted by color, type and age, from teens to boys and girls. You don’t have to dig through piles to find what you’re looking for.”
In addition to money and volunteers, Kids’ Kloset can always use more denim jeans and warm coats.
The Arlington Kids’ Kloset at 135 S. French Ave. is open 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For details, visit www.arlingtonkidskloset.com.
