The Beach Pantry Advances Sustainability by Providing Professional Clothing to Students
To kick off Sustainability Month, the Lauren Chalmers ’83 Beach Pantry hosted its Career Closet on Thursday, Oct. 1, providing students with free professional clothing for job interviews, internships and future careers. By giving donated clothing a second life, the event supported both student success and sustainability.
During the all-day event, the Beach Pantry checked in 690 students and distributed more than 3,100 items, including shoes, pants, blouses, dresses and full suits in a range of sizes. Similar to the pantry’s regular operations, the Career Closet set limits to help ensure items remained available for students arriving later in the day. Each student could select seven clothing items, one suit, two pairs of shoes and three accessories, including socks, belts and cosmetic products. These limits encouraged students to take what they needed while leaving resources for others.
The event would not have been possible without Beach Pantry Program Assistant Aslyn Mendez, who collaborated with campus and community partners to collect donations. Each year, Mendez looks forward to the event and the partnerships that make it possible. Assistance League, Beacon House, Downtown Long Beach Alliance, JCPenney and Student Lunch Box generously donated clothing, while St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church provided shoes suitable for interviews and internships.
Campus partners, including the Career Development Center, University Library, University Bookstore, Student Recreation and Wellness Center and Basic Needs Office, supported outreach and hosted donation bins. The event’s central campus location also helped connect students with the Career Closet. Students passing by stopped to browse, ask Beach Pantry staff questions and select clothing for their professional wardrobes. Throughout the day, many expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
For Mendez, the event brought together her commitment to supporting students and advancing sustainability.
“The Beach Pantry has always led with a sustainable mindset regarding our food rescue opportunities, but the chance to receive clothing donations and give them to students who will utilize them is incredibly important,” she said.
The Beach Pantry also worked with fashion students, who used their expertise to create coordinated outfits for display and help students envision how to style the available clothing.
“Incorporating the Fashion Department Student to help make pre-made outfits to show was essential in making coordinated outfits while utilizing the expertise of our fashion students,” Mendez said.
By providing free professional clothing and encouraging the reuse of donated items, the Career Closet created a welcoming environment that supported students’ professional development. The Beach Pantry hopes to continue expanding the event’s reach and impact.
Beyond Sustainability Month, the Beach Pantry promotes sustainable practices year-round. Staff regularly rescue food that might otherwise end up in landfills. Through partnerships with Food Finders, Long Beach Organic, Cassidy Bagels and campus partners, the pantry collects, packages and distributes food to students.
At the end of the academic year, the Beach Pantry also hosts its “Don’t Dump It, Donate It” drive, giving students moving out of campus housing an opportunity to donate gently used household items. Through outreach and collection efforts, the pantry collected more than 100 pounds of reusable materials, diverting them from landfills.
Together, the Career Closet, “Don’t Dump It, Donate It” drive and ongoing food rescue efforts help the Beach Pantry provide valuable resources to students while reducing waste and protecting the environment.
