Antioch Traveling Closet to host giveaway this Saturday
The Antioch Traveling Closet, a volunteer organization that provides free clothing and hygiene products to people in need, is hosting a giveaway this Saturday.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at ATC’s new location at Depot Plaza, 311 Depot St., in Antioch, which had its grand opening last Saturday.
ATC President Lisa Fisher said the new space provides a better setup for participants to have more discretion over what items they take, while the senior center, where they used to operate, forced volunteers to act as an intermediary retrieving the items and distributing them.
“It's very important to me that people get their own (items). They get to pick out what they want,” Fisher said. “When they get to pick out their own clothing, it makes it more personal.”
The new space at Depot Plaza does not have stairs and gives organizers the ability to leave items out permanently, which they could not do at the senior center.
ATC typically hosts three big giveaways each year — in March/April around Easter, in August to distribute new backpacks and school supplies, and in late October/early November to give out winter coats and other gear, Fisher said.
While anyone is welcome to attend the group’s three main events, Saturday’s distribution is part of a new series of smaller giveaways that will occur every four to six weeks at the new space for Antioch, Lake Villa and Lindenhurst residents only, she added.
ATC is run by a group of volunteers whom Fisher has gotten to know and become “really good friends with” and relies on for its operation.
“Our paycheck is helping the mom that hasn't had feminine products in two years or giving someone extra toilet paper,” Fisher said.
Fisher said ATC is seeing many improvements in its 10th year, including the new space with adequate parking and greater accessibility due to the train station right in front.
The closet acquires clothing items primarily through donations, including monetary, as well as collection drives held by local schools and groups.
“I like to say it takes a village and I'm very glad this is in Antioch because there's so many wonderful giving people in this town and they just want to help,” Fisher said.