Shoppers swap clothes for cause

Shoppers entered the Bloomington Playwrights Project ready for a shopping spree. But these shoppers didn’t bring their credit cards and checkbooks.

They brought their old clothes.

The project  sponsored a clothing exchange on Wednesday night and said the fundraiser was a way to help two local organizations.  

Shoppers came to the event after stripping their closet of the “doesn’t fits” and the “oops, I never wore it” and the “goes back to ’90s,” and recycled the forgotten clothing items into someone else’s hands.

The Playwright Project encouraged women to donate clothing, shoes and accessories. What was left after the exchange was given to the Opportunity House, which is a resale shop whose profits are given to the Monroe County United Ministries. This charity provides child care for basic needs and assistance.

“This benefit was a win-win-win!” said Rebecca Stanze, an employee at Monroe County United Ministries. “We get to clean out closets, freshen up your wardrobe and help the community all in one night.”

The currency of the night was trading clothing for tickets after paying admission at the door. The more clothing given, the more tickets were earned to shop and to refurnish wardrobes. Extra tickets were also bought for those who wanted more clothes.

Baskets of clothing were folded and clothing hung, as women hunted for replacement tops and shoes. Shrieks of excitement erupted when certain brands, such as Baby Phat, were salvaged. Other shoppers hunted for finds together and congratulated each other when they found items such as one shopper’s “Audrey Hepburn” dress.

Angela Floy, a Bloomington resident, noticed her jacket on a stranger and said, “What luck! It looks better on her after all.”

Donations were made for a variety of reasons. Many shoppers said they agreed that women fluctuate sizes throughout time and are constantly gaining and losing weight. Size and shape aside, many said they chose items with plans of safety pins and sewing machine adjustments.

“I love shopping and the find. The serendipity of rare clothing is what makes it all worth while,” said Tracy Bee, coordinator of the event.

Graduate student Carmen Blubaugh said she prefers thrift shopping at events such as the clothing exchange because the clothes have a cooler meaning.

Many shoppers modeled their finds and asked each others’ opinions on their new looks. 

“Women found outfits they could have worn right out of the exchange,” Bee said.