Clothing is a basic necessity, just like food and shelter. However, many homeless people don’t have enough clothing to stay warm, clean, and safe. Several national and local organizations offer free clothing to those living on the streets, providing essential items such as coats, socks, and work clothes at no cost.
Why Clothing Access Matters
Health protection: Appropriate clothing helps prevent hypothermia, heatstroke, and skin infections.
Dignity and confidence: Clean clothing promotes mental well-being and social inclusion.
Employment and services: Many shelters, employment programs, and public services require basic hygiene and clothing.
Places to find Free Clothing for Homeless
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers free clothing through its Clothing Voucher Program and immediate emergency assistance at its shelters. These vouchers allow people in need to select specific items from the Salvation Army Thrift Stores at no cost. Vouchers are generally issued through Salvation Army Social Services offices rather than directly at the thrift stores.
Find an Office: Use the Salvation Army Office Locator to find your local Community Center or social services office.
Schedule an Interview: Many locations require an appointment or meeting with a case manager to determine eligibility.
Provide Documentation: While requirements vary by location, you will generally need:
- Photo ID of yourself and ID (such as birth certificates or Social Security cards) for each family member who needs clothing.
- Proof of address or a letter of recommendation from another social services agency if you are currently experiencing homelessness.
- Proof of income or documentation of your current financial hardship.
Redeem your voucher: Once issued, vouchers can be taken to a designated Salvation Army Family Store to select specific items such as coats, shoes, or work clothes. If you are staying in a Salvation Army emergency shelter, staff typically provide essential items such as clean socks, blankets, and hygiene kits.
Additionally, during extreme weather or natural disasters, the Salvation Army provides mobile units with clean clothing and blankets to survivors without requiring a formal voucher process.
Note: Vouchers are generally used in emergencies and are usually restricted to once every six months or once a year per household, depending on local policies.
Call 211
The quickest way to find local clothing closets is to call 211 from any phone. Operators can provide you with direct information about homeless services and clothing banks operating in your area.
Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill stores are known for selling low-priced clothing, but many also offer free clothing for people in need, job interview clothing programs, and emergency clothing vouchers.
Some Goodwill locations partner with shelters and social workers to provide clothing vouchers to people experiencing homelessness.
Voucher Refferal You generally cannot get a voucher directly at a Goodwill store. You must obtain it from a partner agency, such as a local homeless shelter, church, or social services office.
Emergency Assistance: Many regions offer an Emergency Voucher Program for people in immediate crisis, such as the homeless, fire victims, or survivors of domestic violence.
Professional Clothing: Some locations have specialized programs like “Attire to Hire,” which offers vouchers specifically for job interview attire and work uniforms.
Use the Goodwill Locator and filter by “location” to find your local administrative office.
Note: Goodwill Industries International does not typically give away clothing directly in its stores. It offers free clothing vouchers in partnership with local social service agencies to provide clothing to people in need.
Clothing Across America
Clothing Across America (CAA) is a national nonprofit organization that provides new clothing and personal care items to people in need, but does not distribute items directly to individuals. To receive clothing provided by CAA, you must contact one of its local partner organizations:
Identify Partner Agencies: CAA works with more than 700 nonprofit organizations in all 50 states, including homeless shelters, abuse shelters, veterans’ organizations, and school closets. Search Locally: Since CAA does not publish an up-to-date list of all partners, the best way to find a nearby recipient is to contact your local human services agency or call 211 to ask about centers that accept donations of new clothing from national distributors.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success offers free professional clothing and styling services to help women get and keep jobs.
How to Receive Clothing
- Get an Interview: You will generally need to schedule a job interview to qualify for initial tailoring services.
- Get a Referral: In most places, you cannot go directly. A partner agency, such as a homeless shelter, job development center, or social services office must refer you.
- Work with a stylist: Once referred, you’ll meet one-on-one with a volunteer personal shopper to select professional attire that best suits your needs and helps you feel more confident.
Many places, like Dress for Success Austin, now use digital platforms (such as the “Success Portal”) for virtual onboarding and job readiness scheduling in addition to in-person fittings.
Since each branch operates independently, we recommend using the Dress for Success Affiliate Locator to find the nearest branch and confirm your specific referral partners for 2026.
Laundry Love
Laundry Love does not typically offer free physical clothing; instead, it provides the financial resources and supplies to wash and dry the clothes you already own. Laundry Love partners with local laundromats to hold monthly events where low-income or no-income individuals can have their clothes and bedding washed for free.
Most branches provide laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and the coins or card credit needed to operate the machines. Events often include light meals, snacks, and kids’ clubs to support families during the process.
Other Places That Offer Free Clothing
Homeless Shelters
Many emergency shelters provide clothing to residents. Some shelters also accept walk-in requests from people experiencing homelessness.
Churches and Religious Groups
Local churches often organize clothing drives or seasonal clothing drives. These programs are usually open to anyone in need and do not require proof of homelessness.
Community Outreach Events
Some cities organize clothing distribution events, especially during the winter or back-to-school season. Volunteers and nonprofit organizations distribute coats, blankets, and other essential items.
Street Outreach Teams
Community outreach workers often distribute clothing directly to people experiencing homelessness. They typically provide socks, gloves, hats, and blankets.
Tools that help you to find Local Closets
These search engines allow you to enter your zip code and filter by “clothing” to find local nonprofits and churches.
findhelp.org: One of the most comprehensive tools for finding local social services. You can search for clothing programs in cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
2-1-1 Search: You can use their online portal to find local clothing assistance or call 2-1-1 from any phone for live assistance.
Relink.org: A specialized database that lists free clothing resources by region.
Salvation Army Location Finder: Use it to find a social services office where you can apply for a thrift store voucher.
How to Get Free Clothing
Call 211: Ask for “free clothing” or “coat pickup” in your zip code.
Listing Options: Indicates the Salvation Army, Goodwill voucher partners, churches, and nearby shelters.
Gather your documents: Bring a photo ID, proof of address or income, and the ages of all household members.
Visit or apply: Some programs are walk-in; others may require appointments or referrals.
Things to consider
Variable availability: Some programs operate only seasonally or in specific cities.
Eligibility requirements: Income limits or proof of homelessness may be required.
Limited sizes/styles: Donations may not always match personal preferences or needs.
Final thoughts:
Free clothing programs in the U.S. are a vital resource for people experiencing homelessness. They offer warmth, dignity, and a path to stability. Whether you are seeking help or want to donate, these services build stronger, more compassionate communities.
