SCRANTON, Pa. — Last month, flames tore through the building that housed Clothes Line for Men on Linden Street in Scranton. The program, run by the Friends of the Poor, provides men with work clothes.
Meghan Loftus, the organization's CEO, says the biggest loss was the building, but now they have a temporary location on Brook Street in Scranton.
"John Basalyga and JBAS Realty offered us their space. It's temporary space for 90 days, but we were able to move in last week, and we salvaged a lot of our clothing racks," Loftus said.
Loftus says the program lost a good amount of inventory, but they were able to save some. Since then, donations have poured in.
Rita Thomas says she heard about the fire and wanted to help.
"For these men to have a start to go on an interview and put their best foot forward. They're already in a loss, so whatever we could do."
Loftus says they've received plenty of suits and dress clothes but have a great need for hygiene products and clothing for manual labor jobs.
"Jeans, sneakers, or steel-toe boots," Loftus said. "Not a dressy shoe, but something people can wear outside, and then undershirts, underwear, socks."
This space is only temporary for the next three months. Loftus says they are grateful to continue their work serving the community.
"We just want to make sure that we have a place for the future. I know we will have one, we just don't know where it is yet."
Loftus says they are also in need of volunteers to help sort and organize the donations so they can fill requests for clothing.
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