One of South High’s very own teachers, Shannon Christensen, has started a completely free and accessible clothing rack for all students and staff. 

The rack is placed outside of Room 131B with a mission to “stop filling landfills with clothes just to be burned, which is part of our air pollution.” She said she sees the wasting of clothes as a “tragedy,” especially when there are so many people who are in need of clothes. 

The school’s previous closet was located in the school parking lot in a trailer before it was damaged by the elements. After the first year of the closet being absent, she decided to act. Christensen said she has always had clothes available but wanted to create a more accessible way for students to get them. “I see a high need of kids that wear the same/dirty clothes and don’t have access to closets or stores,” she said.  Christensen said she notices that today’s generation enjoys thrifted clothing and invites students to take clothes that they like, whether it’s a need or a want. 

Something students and staff might not know about the rack is that anybody of any status can take items, and it is not required to leave something in return. Christensen accepts and appreciates all donated clothing. “People have just left bags outside the door. The more people take, the more I can put up,” she said. You never have to ask to take a piece of clothing. “I don’t want people to have to ask, because sometimes it’s hard to ask,” she added. 

One success that Christensen feels through the progression of the rack is seeing students and staff take and wear the clothing around the school. “I see people wearing my clothes, and it warms my heart.” 

Christensen said that there is a high-need population in the school, and she hopes that she can get more “use and donations” out of the rack. She would also like to stress the importance of recycling and wearing out clothes. The rack is meant to be an accessible way for people to just find clothes that they want or need; free of ask, charge and paperwork.