In an official municipal proclamation, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan designated September 15 as Clothing Insecurity Awareness Day across the city, casting a spotlight on a critical basic need that frequently goes overlooked. The special designation was established to elevate public consciousness regarding the widespread challenges that vulnerable residents face when trying to obtain adequate, weather-appropriate attire.
To commemorate the newly declared day of awareness, Presbyterian Social Ministries, Inc. organized a large-scale volunteer activation at its Murray Hill warehouse facility. The organization mobilized members of the Community First Credit Union Kindness Crew, bringing corporate employee volunteers together to sort, inspect, and organize substantial quantities of donated apparel for regional distribution.
The initiative is targeted at mitigating clothing insecurity across Northeast Florida, where the lack of adequate garments poses significant barriers for many community members. Those impacted by this form of deprivation include school-aged children, senior citizens, military veterans, and individuals navigating homelessness, financial hardship, or sudden personal crises.
At the center of the nonprofit’s regional distribution model is its dedicated Clothing with Purpose program. Through this specialized initiative, Presbyterian Social Ministries supplies essential garments free of charge to a network of more than 100 local nonprofit partner agencies, ensuring that quality apparel reaches those who need it most without placing a financial burden on recipient families.
Securing suitable clothing plays a pivotal role in personal stability and social mobility. Agency leaders emphasize that having clean, presentable garments is essential for children attending school, adults seeking employment, and individuals striving to maintain basic health, self-esteem, and personal dignity while navigating life transitions.
Presbyterian Social Ministries has maintained a presence in the region since its founding in 2004. Affiliated with the Presbytery of St. Augustine, the organization manages an array of supportive programs designed to assist vulnerable populations, including its Home Safe housing initiative, which delivers vital residential support to 60 chronically homeless families.
Over the past year, the Clothing with Purpose operation substantially broadened its footprint. During 2025, the program successfully distributed 218,497 individual articles of clothing, providing tangible assistance to 31,214 people across the Northeast Florida region through its extensive network of community partners.
In tandem with its humanitarian outreach, the organization incorporates environmental sustainability into its warehouse operations. Throughout 2025, the Clothing with Purpose program processed and recycled 22,414 pounds of unusable fabric and materials, effectively preventing approximately 10 tons of discarded textiles from entering local municipal landfills.
Neil Claasen, the director of logistics for Presbyterian Social Ministries, pointed out that resolving clothing insecurity requires a sophisticated operational infrastructure that extends far beyond merely gathering donated goods. He emphasized that structured logistical planning is essential to ensure that donated items are properly categorized and routed to those in genuine need.
Claasen explained that the Clothing with Purpose program delivers comprehensive warehousing, rigorous quality control, inventory management systems, and a dependable distribution network. This centralized framework allows partner charities to secure reliable, high-quality clothing for their clients without exhausting their own operational capacities.
By handling the labor-intensive tasks of preparing, inspecting, and storing apparel, Presbyterian Social Ministries enables its partner agencies to dedicate their time and limited financial resources directly to the primary missions they serve. Claasen noted that this collaborative model helps ensure that clients receive clothing that bolsters their confidence, preserves their dignity, and empowers them to move forward in life.
The organization’s ability to distribute high volumes of quality attire is made possible through strategic corporate partnerships with major retail and manufacturing brands. High-volume contributions of brand-new and gently used garments are regularly supplied by national and regional corporate partners, including Victoria's Secret, Bombas, Natural Life, SanMar, and Kid to Kid.
Teri Ketchum, chief executive officer of Presbyterian Social Ministries, described clean and appropriate attire as a non-negotiable human necessity that stands on equal footing with food and shelter. Ketchum emphasized that without proper clothing, individuals find themselves effectively barred from participating in everyday societal functions, work environments, and educational opportunities.
Ketchum conveyed profound gratitude for the civic network that sustains the organization's logistics and outreach, pointing to the essential backing provided by private donors, volunteer groups, philanthropic foundations, and corporate allies such as the Community First Cares Foundation. She affirmed that these collaborative partnerships make it possible for the faith-based organization to bridge the gap between community surplus and regional need.
Corporate engagement was demonstrated on the warehouse floor as Community First Credit Union personnel assisted with ongoing processing duties during the event. Sam Inman, president and chief executive officer of Community First Credit Union, highlighted the importance of moving beyond mere awareness into hands-on community service.
Inman emphasized that addressing critical community shortfalls requires collective, compassionate action. He commended the credit union's Kindness Crew volunteers for their willingness to dedicate their time to warehouse operations, reinforcing a shared community commitment to providing Northeast Florida residents with essential clothing, renewed confidence, and human dignity.
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