Chester County Hospital’s Clothing Closet, created by the department of Social Work, had existed for years, helping patients who did not have appropriate clothing to wear at discharge, for example, after a sudden trip to the ED wearing only nightware. “Some patients are homeless or don’t have family members in the area that are able to bring them clothing to wear home,” said Molly Carlock MSW, LSW. But, when a pipe broke and leaked into where the clothes were stored, the inventory was ruined.
Now, thanks to a successful clothing drive, the Closet is coming back! “This drive allowed the team to determine what type of clothing was needed and the sizes that were needed as well,” said Anne Marie Shea, MSW, and social work team leader. They received more than 175 articles of clothing which helped to replenish what was lost. The team also hopes to supplement any outstanding items with the Penn Medicine CAREs grant they received.
Carlock, who organized the initiative, said that while they received much clothing, shoes of all sizes – and for all weather – seem to be a big challenge and something the team hopes to eventually obtain.
To learn more, email Molly Carlock at Molly.Carlock@uphs.upenn.edu.