A free clothing exchange is now available to all Peralta Community College District (PCCD) students on the third floor of the Laney College Student Center.
Any PCCD student can access secondhand clothing at no cost between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday to Thursday, according to Katrina Santos, Basic Needs Coordinator for Laney College. A student ID with a current semester sticker is required.
Santos told The Citizen that the Laney Basic Needs Center, also known as the Eagle’s Nest, started offering free clothing to students in need via “pop-ups” on the Laney quad when it began operations last spring.
While the pop-ups still run every third Wednesday, now the clothing closet has a consistent and permanent home directly beside the Eagle’s Nest office.
The newly repurposed room houses shoes and garments for adults and children in a variety of sizes, with both formal and casual options available.
CalFresh support, free shower access, and a food pantry are all also available through the Eagle’s Nest, as well as resources for students with children and students seeking housing.
Santos said Laney staff, students, and community members have donated clothing to the exchange.
Those interested in donating “gently worn” clothing to the Student Center are able to do so by appointment with the Eagle’s Nest.
PCCD Basic Needs Coordinators:
- Berkeley City College: Izzie Villanueva (they/them/theirs) [email protected]
- College of Alameda: Jeremy Simmons (he/him/his) [email protected]
- Laney College: Katrina Santos (she/her/hers) [email protected]
- Merritt College: Doris Hankins (she/her/hers) [email protected]
