ORLANDO, Fla. — It might sound obvious and simple, but with the colder weather in Central Florida, SALT Outreach says one of the best ways people can help those in need is to grab old clothes and drop them off at SALT’s administrative offices.
What You Need To Know
SALT Outreach provides shower, laundry, and housing services to the homeless
Clothes donations are especially needed during colder weather
To donate clothes to SALT, take it to their administrative offices at 307 E. Smith Street in Orlando
SALT founder Eric Camarillo says clothes they collect don’t last long, especially during cooler weather.
“We are constantly running out, constantly running out,” said Camarillo. “People have been asking for warm clothes almost every day.”
SALT, which stands for “Service and Love Together,” helps provide the homeless with shower, laundry and other services – ultimately with the goal of helping place people in permanent homes. All clothes donated are given directly to those who need them at one of SALT’s several locations across Central Florida.
“Once they get pre-sorted, they get put out in our registration area, and then from our registration area they’ll distribute it to guests as they come up to register for services,” said Camarillo.
The nonprofit relies on monetary donations, but Camarillo says if you can’t afford to donate money, it’s the perfect time of the year to donate clothes you no longer wear.
“We’re going into a new year, and you hear ‘clean out your closet.’ People might want to clean out their closet figuratively and literally right – as they enter the new year as you may have gotten some new clothes,” said Camarillo. “Sweaters, jackets, beanies, gloves, sweatpants – those are type of things we need to keep people staying warm.”
Camarillo says it doesn’t have to be just warmer clothing. He says his clients like to layer up, so any clothing can help. Shoes are also needed.
To donate clothes to SALT, take it to their administrative offices at 307 E. Smith Street in Orlando – near AdventHealth’s Orlando hospital campus. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., but if the office is closed, people can leave a bag of clothes under the office’s carport.