Seth Root/The Broadside

Need new clothes but can’t afford any? If you are a student in need, you’re in luck. Bend’s Banana Republic, who was having a hard time selling inventory due to COVID-19, decided to donate 60 boxes of clothes, worth $100,000 in retail value, to Bend-Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club, who then transported the clothes to Central Oregon Community College’s Clothing Connection.

COCC’s Clothing Connection was started by employees Amy Howell, Jackie Vance and Angie Cole back in 2014 to “support students with new and gently used clothing that they could use for interviews, field placements, work and to help meet their basic needs,” according to Cole.

Cole was really thankful for all the help and support from everyone who participated in this project.

“Our ED/ECE team just wants to thank everyone who has been so supportive of this project. We have had administrators, faculty, staff, board members and community members who have been donating to this project for a while,” Cole said. “Our faculty in the social science department has been particularly supportive as they all agreed to having a year-round display set up in the study area in Modoc during the past school year. This really increased access for students. ”

Angie Cole assured that the clothing items will be made available to students during the coming school year. But exactly how the clothes will be made available, and when it will be available is still up for discussion due to COVID-19.

When the Clothing Connection makes the clothes available, students who need clothes are encouraged to check it out.

For more information, contact Angie Cole at [email protected]