Two nonprofits team up to create Virginia’s largest clothing center for those in need, city says

After two years in the making, two nonprofits have teamed up to provide free clothing in Newport News for men, women and children in need.

The Heart of Giving, based in Newport News, and the Woman’s Club of Newport News recently expanded a clothing closet at Four Oaks Day Service Center, which provides resources to people experiencing homelessness. In addition to clothing, the closet offers other necessities including shoes, socks, underwear and baby bottles — all free of charge.

“When you look your best, you feel your best. When you feel your best, you do your best type of work,” said Quincy White, executive director of the day service center. “We want our patrons to feel their best when they go out to job interviews, when they’re meeting with landlords to get housing and when they’re out in the community advocating for themselves.”

The day service center previously had a smaller clothing selection, but patrons were required to be homeless to access it, and it had a smaller selection, White said.

By expanding the clothing closet, White says it’s now the largest in Virginia to offer free clothing to people experiencing homelessness.

The Heart of Giving is an outreach organization with chapters in Virginia, Texas and Delaware.

The Women’s Club of Newport News, the oldest service organization in the city, used to run Tori’s Closet at the South Morrison Family Education Center until the center closed. White said the women’s club’s involvement in the project is what made the clothing available to low-income individuals and families, too.

Four Oaks, which is operated by the city’s department of human services, requires proof of homelessness to access programs, but the clothing distribution center will not require proof of circumstance.

The clothing center is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at 7401 Warwick Blvd. To access it, enter the main Four Oaks parking lot from the side entrance and then drive to the back of the building. There are signs on site directing visitors to the clothing closet.

Donations can be dropped off at the distribution center from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. or while the center is open on Tuesday and Thursday. Donations will also be accepted at the main entrance to Four Oaks from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com