The Open Door Closet started as a modest wig and clothing drive that grew into a robust collection of clothing, shoes, accessories, wigs, and toiletries that are available to students right in the SAGE Center.

Students may need to utilize the Open Door Closet for a variety of reasons at various periods during their time at Southern and are always welcome to come to get items, no questions asked. Students can access the Open Door Closet by stopping by the SAGE Center in the Adanti Student Center room 324. A team member will direct them to the closet so they can retrieve the items they need. Students can also call the SAGE Center at (203) 392 - 8989 to inquire about particular items, and a team member can notify the student of the item's availability. If the item is available, it can be put aside for pick-up in the SAGE Center. 

How to Donate

To donate clothes or toiletries, you can bring items to the SAGE Center (ASC 324).

The following items are accepted:

• Professional Attire
• Casual Wear
• Jeans
• Tanktops/Camisoles
• Warm Clothes
• Outerwear
• Bras
• Gloves
• Hats
• Scarves
• Shoes
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Conditioner
• Liquid Soap
• Hair Care Products
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Shaving cream
• Lotion
• Razors
• Pads/Tampons
• Makeup
• Costume Jewelry
• Hair Ties
• Bobby Pins
• Socks (New)

Please no undergarments or items in need of extensive repairs or cleaning.
Placing clothes in a trash bag or other plastic bag is appreciated, but not required.

Reasons to Donate

We have students who experience homelessness and a scarcity of resources.

Many students may experience homelessness, food insecurity, and general scarcity of resources during their time at the university. Your donation could help ease the burden of students so that they can focus on their academics and persist in their degrees.

Our Students Are Seeking Internships and Careers.

Our students are applying for internships and professional positions and may not have the resources to purchase attire for the position they are seeking. Even if we don’t have an item in stock, we can assist students in identifying resources to construct an outfit for their professional endeavors.

Donating Items Reduces Greenhouse Gases.

According to the EPA, on average, it costs $45 per ton to dispose of waste in a landfill. Clothing that is dumped at the landfill breaks down and emits the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide that harm the environment

Most of the Items You Throw Away Can Be Repurposed.

On average, American families throw out almost 70 pounds of clothes per year. More than 95% of this clothing could have been reused and upcycled.

It Saves Landfill Space.

In addition to the greenhouse gasses, landfills are a tremendous financial burden to taxpayers and municipalities. Every year, 12 million tons of clothing end up in landfills, taking up massive amounts of expensive space. Landfills cost millions of dollars to build, and millions more each year to operate. Recycling lowers cities' landfill costs, ultimately increasing their available budget for other municipal needs.

Donating Your Clothing Conserves Energy.

It takes a lot of energy to produce clothing; every item goes through a complex manufacturing process that uses an extraordinary amount of electricity and water. By recycling clothes when they are no longer wanted, you ensure that all that energy doesn’t simply go to waste.

It’s Easy.

Even though you can’t put your clothes into your curbside-recycling bin, recycling them has never been easier. 

Considerations for Donating

Consider saving and donating the toiletries from a hotel stay.
Consider buying toiletries and accessories from the Dollar Tree.
Follow the one-year rule: If you haven’t worn or used a particular item in the last year, consider donating to a student in need!

If you have things to donate that we might not be able to accept due to the condition of the garment, or if it’s something we don’t accept (bras, underwear, socks, etc.), consider getting the Take Back Bag from For Days. The Take Back Bag collects your items that cannot be donated and recycles the material. Read more on their website about the rewards they give you for sending in what would have otherwise gone to a landfill!