How parting ways with used clothes helped make a difference in Kelowna

• First indoor event in two years
• Portion of proceeds going to The Bridge

Saturday morning, a long line waited outside the Kanata Hotel for the first indoor Great Closet Cleanout in nearly two years.

The event featured local women who were selling used clothing out of their closets along with other local business partners.

Last year, the event was shut down just 17 hours before it was due to take place because of COVID -19. This year all health protocols were followed with valid vaccine passports and mandatory masks.

Organizer Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown told Kelowna 10 the community support is very much appreciated as they have shoppers and vendors coming back every year despite having to reduce the number of tables.

“This is a much smaller event than what we normally do,” she said. “We normally have 50 tables, this one’s about 30. That’s because we have to limit the numbers and the spacing.”

Brown added all the pieces of unsold clothing are going to Mama’s for Mama’s to give these items a new life.

“Often people have a hard time parting with certain items,” she said. “They buy it because there’s thoughts and feelings behind it but if they try to sell it and no one buys it then they feel better about giving it away.”

This year, The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society will receive a portion of the proceeds, which will go towards phase two of their Okanagan Youth Recovery House.

“We know that the earlier we intervene in these situations, the higher probability of long-term recovery for these young people,” Kelly Paley from The Bridge said. “It’s a chance for them to become contributing members in the community.”

The event has raised over $10,000 in its eight-year span with 15,000 lbs. of clothing donated to different organizations in Kelowna.

A Christmas craft décor and spring closet cleanout are scheduled in the coming months. More information on those can be found on their Facebook or website.