“Community Angels’ Stylish Solution: Nonprofit Boutique Provides Brand-New and Like-New Clothing to Kids in Need

(KNSI) — A new nonprofit organization has opened a boutique to clothe kids in need in style.

Community Angels began operating in September. The store offers brand new and like new clothing to children and families who face financial struggles.

Executive Director Erica Cole tells KNSI News she wants kids to feel good about what they have on. “What we’re finding is when the kids when come in, right away, they go to those racks that have the sparklies and the bright colors. The orange, the pink, the grays, the purples, so be mindful when you’re donating and shopping. Clothes that we know that the children will really enjoy and appreciate wearing.”

She buys the clothing or gets donations from community members. About 75% of their clothes are new, and the rest are gently used.

Community Angels keeps in-stock merchandise for infants up to high school kids, but as Cole explained, she originally planned to serve school-aged children only, but those plans quickly changed. “And so right away, we started to receive phone calls from families that had infants and toddlers. And so we added that age group to the plan as well. So we will serve any child.”

Officials in Benton, Sherburne and Stearns County fill out a referral for a family, and then Community Angels will get a hold of that family to set an appointment for the kids to go on a shopping spree. So far, more than 80 children have been able to pick out three outfits each.

Currently, the organization needs sizes 2T to 5T for boys and girls and older sizes for boys. The store is looking for clothes for older boys. So, sizes 14 up to a men’s medium.

Due to popular demand, Community Angels is starting to hold Retail Days where the general public can buy clothes at garage sale prices. They will take place on the first and third Friday of the month, with the first one today (January 19th). It’s National Popcorn Day. So the treat will be available for free at the shop.

Community Angels also have a bin at Stearns Bank on 2nd Street South in St. Cloud, where they collect children’s books and new pajamas to be given away at the store, which is located at 1529 West St. Germain Street in downtown St. Cloud.

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