JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A national clothing charity based in Jacksonville recently suffered storm damage to its Myrtle Avenue warehouse.
On July 22, strong winds caused several exterior wall panels at the Dignity U Wear warehouse to come loose, exposing part of the warehouse and its inventory.
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The Jay and Deanie Stein Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida came to the aid of Dignity U Wear, quickly responding to a call for financial assistance to repair the damage, which was not structural.
"We could not continue our mission without an operational warehouse," said Parker McCrary, president of the Dignity U wear board of directors. "We are so grateful for the contribution of $26,000, given so quickly in our time of need."
Dignity U Wear is a national nonprofit based in Jacksonville with a mission to improve the quality of life for men, women and children living in difficult situations by providing new clothing at no cost to the recipient.
Last year, Dignity U Wear distributed $10.5 million in new clothing to over 150 nonprofits, which delivered new clothing to 218,000 people.
Over 200 apparel industry partners from 43 states ship new clothes to the warehouse, where they are stored until they are distributed to Americans in need. The warehouse is the main location for storing the inventory.
"On behalf of the board of directors and all the agencies we serve, I want to thank Jay and Deanie Stein and Nina Waters, president of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, for your prompt response to this desperate need," McCrary said. "I am pleased to report the restoration and security of our warehouse is complete and there has been no interruption of work in the service to others."
Northeast organizations that have benefited from Dignity U Wear include the Sulzbacher Center, Operation New Hope, Duval County Public School District, Downtown Ecumenical Services Center, Clara White Mission and the City of Jacksonville Veterans Reintegration Center.