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LBCC's Clothing Connection Prepares for Upcoming Grand Opening



Photos courtesy of Sarah Rose Larson

Need a smart outfit for an interview? The Roadrunner Clothing Connection has your back.

Valentine’s Day celebrated the soft-launch of Roadrunner Clothing Connection, a resource for free clothes for Linn-Benton Community College’s students and employees. The grand opening will be on Wednesday, March 6 at noon in room 109 of the Forum Building of LBCC’s Albany Campus. The Roadrunner Clothing Connection’s normal operating hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday until the end of spring term.

Upon entering a student is greeted at the back wall by a mannequin dressed in some of Roadrunner Clothing Connection's fashions. There are a half-dozen or so full clothing racks and walls of cubby-style shelves filled with folded garments and shoes.

Overseen by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges, the Clothing Connection carries donated jackets, coats, dresses, pants, jeans, dresses, pajamas, shoes, bras, ties, and menstrual hygiene products. Students or employees who have an interview coming up or are struggling with the basics can come and help themselves. The guideline is that each term a student can pick out 10 items.

“It’s important for students to know we’re there for them,” said one of the Clothing Connection’s operators and AAWCC’s LBCC chapter Co-vice President Lena Spencer.

If you want to take advantage of this resource, you can simply go when they’re open or make an appointment by emailing clothingconnection@linnbenton.edu. After you walk in you can browse the racks of clothes and the shelves of shoes for items that would be helpful to you.

Then you can try them on in their ADA accessible dressing room. After that you’ll just answer a couple non-identifying questions for record-keeping purposes and you’re good to go!

Spencer said it’s “a resource we’re happy to provide to students to help them save money, create less textile waste, and create community.”

Another perk of the project is as an emergency back-up for students whose clothes are for any reason dirtied or damaged on campus. Say you spill chili all over your lap in the Commons cafeteria, you can contact Roadrunner Resources or Rob Camp, the manager of Student Life and Leadership. It’s not a guarantee, but they might be able to help you out in a pinch.

Soon students and employees will be able to volunteer to help the Clothing Connection through the NobleHour app. There will be a 30-minute instruction for volunteers where they’ll learn how to help.

Those interested in donating can drop off clothes with the Student Leadership Council office in the Student Union, which is in the Forum building facing the courtyard. Kim Armstrong, co-vice president of AAWCC’s LBCC chapter, explained some guidelines for donation.

“Courtesy when donating is appreciated,” she said, “as in, clean and in good condition.” Also, “No undergarments unless they’re brand new - tags on.”

Turning in garments that are dirty or damaged can cause problems “because the volunteers have to sort through and decide if something is presentable.”

Items that are in high demand include athletic wear, men’s pants and jeans, business wear, shoes, shirt hangers, pants hangers, and skirt hangers.

When you do accept clothes, it’s recommended that, like any clothes you normally buy, you wash them before wearing them.

The grand opening of the clothing connection will feature a ribbon-cutting by LBCC President Lisa Avery and some of the AAWCC board members.

Armstrong said, "Jonah (Wasmer), the manager at Roast Runners, has partnered with us in the grand opening event. We’ll have an undetermined coffee special.”

In May, a Fundraising Spring Sale will be held by the AAWCC, selling clothes for $1 each, a fashion show, and a presentation on how to style your clothes for professional settings.

At a Glance:
What: Roadrunner Clothing Connection Grand Opening
When: Wednesday, March 6
Where: Forum, Room 109, LBCC Albany Campus, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW
What’s Next: Fundraising Spring Clothing Sale May 2
Website: www.aawccoregon.org
For More Information: Send email to clothingconnection@linnbenton.edu, or contact Lena Spencer at spencel@linnbenton.edu

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