Knox County Schools Clothing Center

About Us

The purpose of the Clothing Center is to provide school appropriate clothing for students enrolled in our Knox County Public Schools who have a financial need and have been declared eligible by their school. We currently serve over 2,000 students and distribute over 60,000 articles of clothing each year.

How to Help

Donate your gently used clothing of all sizes!  Monetary donations, also of all sizes, are always accepted!  Business partnerships are also welcomed and appreciated...in-kind and monetary support help us to increase the number of children we can help each year!

How it Works

The first step is to contact the school your student attends to obtain a clothing card, which must be completed by a school administrator.

Need Clothing

All clients are Knox County Public School students in grades Pre-K through 12 who meet income level requirements of the Free/Reduced Meal Program with the exception of emergencies (home fire, displacement, etc.).

Step 1

For each child needing clothing, obtain a clothing card from the school they are attending.  The card must be completed and verified for eligibility by a school administrator, then signed by the principal.  Please contact your child's school directly to begin this process.

Step 2

Call the Clothing Center on a Thursday to schedule an appointment (594-3791). Appointments are set on a first-come-first-served basis and do fill quickly. The Clothing Center begins taking calls at 8:00 am. Once slots for the upcoming week are filled, an answering machine will provide information for scheduling the next week. The staff allows for 20 minutes per child.

Step 3

Bring clothing card(s), completed by your child's school, and some form of identification to your appointment(s).

Policies

• A child may be seen two times during the school year (once per semester). You must obtain a new clothing card from your child's school each time. Cards must be completed by a school administrator
• Clients are seen by appointment only
• Clients are served three days per week:  Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
• If you cannot make your scheduled appointment, please call 865-594-3791 at least 30 minutes prior so we may reschedule. This allows staff the opportunity to offer your time to another child.

Allotments

Each child served at the center receives new items including one or two pairs of pants, one or more shirts, several pairs of socks and underwear, and a number of gently used items. The number of new and used items is determined by availability and school dress code requirements.

Partners and Sponsors

Donate - You can help!

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to donate at any time - items are continually needed. Any group may conduct their own clothing drive at their own designated time.

Best Method for Delivery of Clothing

We accept new and gently used clean clothing in any size and from anyone. We cannot accept used socks or underwear.

Please deliver in bags no larger than 13-gallon kitchen bags. The Clothing Center is limited on space with no storage for boxes, and larger bags are too heavy to move around when sorting.  Also, please arrive at or before 3:30 pm to allow time for the intake of your donation and donor information. We appreciate your help in facilitating the donation process!