By April Valdez

With spring and summer approaching quickly, students may find an interest in updating their fashion wardrobe.

If students are seeking clothing, whether professional attire or casual wear, OCCC offers clothing for free.

Unfortunately, students may experience difficult circumstances throughout their lives. Luckily, OCCC offers plenty of resources to help.

In May 2019, the Oklahoma City Community College Clothing Closet first opened. The clothing closet was created for students who needed additional clothing at no cost.

They are in a partnership with the Sharing Tree, a local nonprofit organization that assists families with clothing, household items, and other basic necessities.

The clothing closet is actually considered a complement to the school’s food pantry.

The OCCC food pantry is open to all students with a current ID. It is located in the Science, Engineering and Mathematic (SEM) building in room 1N1.

The Oklahoma City Community College Clothing Closet is open to students only. No appointment is necessary. The only requirement needed to shop at the clothing closet is a valid student identification card.

“We do allow the students to pick out clothing for their dependents, or whoever lives with them, but essentially, only students are allowed to do the shopping,” Laura Swain, Recreation and Fitness Coordinator, told the Pioneer.

Students are allowed to receive assistance from the clothing closet once a week. There is no limit on the amount of clothing a student can receive.

“They’ve helped me a lot. I can come here and pick out what I need,” an OCCC student who uses the closet told the Pioneer.

The clothing closet is located in the Social Sciences building. The room number is 1H12. They are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

However, they have a sign posted on the clothing closet door. The sign states that if a student comes in after those hours, they can visit the Recreation and Fitness Office.

One of the staff members will then let them in the clothing closet to shop.

The Oklahoma City Community College clothing closet encourages donations as well.

If students are interested in donating apparel and shoes, they ask that they bring gently used clothing with no tears or holes. Students can donate clothing and shoes at the Recreation and Fitness office.

If a student is donating large amounts of clothing and shoes, they can call the Recreation and Fitness office, or they can drive to the door and a member from the office can unload their car.

If students have any questions or concerns, they can contact Laura Swain, coordinator of the Recreations and Fitness Office at 405-682-1611 ext. 789. Her email address is laura.a.swain@occc.edu.