On any given day there are 1,200 to 1,500 children in foster care in King County. Whether children are picked up from school or removed directly from home, they often don’t have the chance to bring their clothes with them. Consequently, many children come into foster care without coats or sometimes even socks! It can take weeks for DSHS to get foster children these basic winter essentials. Life in foster care can be extraordinarily challenging and disruptive for kids and teens, both emotionally and developmentally. Having the comfort of warm clothes can go a long way in helping children transition into foster care. Downtown Cornerstone has chosen to partner with DSHS this advent season to provide comfortable clothes for foster children entering state care. The items donated will give DSHS offices a supply of winter items to give out to children as soon as they enter care.
As we celebrate Christ’s incarnation this season, remembering His abundant love, let us joyfully serve the least of these in our community and live out James 1:27.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27
Children entering foster care.
Donating clothing for elementary aged children (detailed list below).
Barrels on Sunday by the Connect Desk, give to your community leads, or purchase online using Amazon Wish List.
The month of December.
Amazon Wish List
For your convenience, you can purchase online and have the items shipped directly to DCC by selecting “Downtown Cornerstone Church” as the shipping address.
Feel free to stray from the specific items on the list, but please make sure you get the appropriate sizes (S-XL or 5T – 12/14). While baby clothes are incredibly adorable, the bigger sizes have the greatest need.
Hooded Sweatshirts/Hoodies – Boys & Girls
Quantity: 75 desired
Sweatpants – Boys & Girls
Quantity: 50 desired
Pajamas – Boys & Girls
Quantity: 25 desired
T-shirts – Boys & Girls
Quantity: 25 desired
Stretchy Pants or Leggings – Girls
Quantity: 25 desired
Can I bring in gently used or like-new items?
DSHS will only accept new clothes because of health and hygiene reasons. Similarly, they don’t accept stuffed animals.
What about clothes for ages other than elementary-aged children?
DCC is one several churches running drives for DSHS, so we’ve been asked to focus on elementary aged children. Other local churches are gathering clothes for younger children and teens. If you has unused clothing for a different age on hand, we can still pass it on to DSHS. However, you are planning to buying new clothing specifically for our drive, we’d ask that you focus on elementary aged kids.
Are my donations deductible?
All clothing donations are deductible. Clothing donation receipts are available at the Connect Desk upon request.