We give clothes for baby to adult, diapers, incontinence items, books, linens, toys, footwear, personal and smaller household items to those in need, male/female. This is done by way of events held in various cities as well as a weekly assistance at the Aldergrove Food Bank. Low income families and individuals are the primary beneficiaries of this service.
Our events are held in halls or churches across metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. There is no storefront, the help is only available through the events. The above mentioned items are given away free at these events, but we do charge a small entrance fee, children 10 and under admitted free.
Clothes2U was nominated for a Business in Excellence Award, non profit division (Langley Chamber of Commerce) in October 2016 and in October 2018 and was nominated for a Serving with Distinction award (Surrey Cares Foundation) in February 2018.
Clothes2U was an offshoot from a single parents group started by Ernie Jantzen in the 1990’s. Some clothes were available for the single parents to take at the meetings but it slowly developed a life of it’s own. The first clothing giveaway was held in the parking lot of Nicomekl Elementary School in Langley in partnership with Home Church Langley who meet there Sunday mornings. This initial Clothes2U event showed a powerful need in the community for this service so Clothes2U was born. Slowly, additional items to give away were introduced and now we give away clothes, toys, linen, books, footwear, incontinence items,diapers, personal and smalerl household things. These are for male and female, baby to adult. This service has been made available in many cities from Richmond to Chilliwack.
Decades Coffee in Chilliwack (www.decadescoffee.ca) donated coffee for our Chilliwack event in Jan. 2020. Natasha’s Baked Goods donated many delicious slices of fresh baked pumpkin pie for this Chilliwack event as well. (natashasbakedgoods.ca)
In November 2021, this structure was added to serve as a sortation area.
The Surrey Leader, on Nov., 2011, called it “a clothes encounter”
In a Light Magazine article, the author stated “What started with Ernie Jantzen’s desire to get rid of accumulated clothes has blossomed into a ministry of giving away clothes to those who urgently need them”
Fraser Valley Pulse, April 2010 ” Clothes2U is a breath of fresh air!”
BC Local News comments on 15th anniversary of Clothes2U http://www.bclocalnews.com/community/445166193.html#.Wb_qUtx82M4.facebook
The Aldergrove-based Clothes2U organization is celebrating their 15th anniversary this month of giving clothes, toys, linens, diapers, personal and small household items free to those in need.
“What was originally intended to be a one time thing has blossomed into helping people throughout the year and in many communities across metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley,” said spokesman Ernie Jantzen.
Clothes2U will be holding its next event at Nicomekl Elementary School, 53 Ave. at 200 St. in Langley on Saturday, Sept.30 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission is $1 to get in, everything on the tables is free and Clothes2U ensure a fair distribution by monitoring amounts taken.
More information can be found at www.clothes2u.ca
Charity Clothes2U ready to hand out free items to people in need in Chilliwack
Free clothing event set for Feb. 4 at White Rock Baptist Church
Clothes 2U non-profit hosting ‘Valentine’s Giveaway’
- TRACY HOLMES@peacearchnews.com
- Jan. 20, 2023 10:00 a.m.
- COMMUNITY
An event offering gently used clothing and household items for free to those who may be struggling financially is coming to the Semiahmoo Peninsula.
Clothes 2U, a non-profit founded more than two decades ago by Aldergrove resident Ernie Jantzen, will host its ‘Valentine’s Giveaway’ Feb. 4 at the White Rock Baptist Church (1657 140 St.).
Set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., items suitable for babies to adults – including toys, diapers/incontinence items, linens, books, personal and smaller household items – will be given away, according to a news release.
It follows Clothes 2U’s first giveaway event of 2023, which is set for tomorrow (Jan. 21) in Aldergrove.
READ MORE: Local Aldergrove man hosts free clothing drive for community
Jantzen told Black Press Media that he was inspired to start Clothes 2U by the example set by his mother, who passed away six years ago.
“My dear mother was a huge inspiration, with her example during my childhood of helping others,” he said.
“I am glad she was able to see Clothes 2U develop into something of substance before she passed away.”
According to information at clothes2u.ca, the non-profit was an offshoot from a single parents group that Jantzen started in the 1990s.
“Some clothes were available for the single parents to take at the meetings but it slowly developed a life of its own,” the site explains.
The initial event, held in the parking lot of a Langley elementary school, “showed a powerful need in the community for this service so Clothes2U was born.”
Clothes 2U events are held in halls and churches across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, the site notes. While the items themselves are free, there is a $3 admission fee (no charge for children aged 10 years and younger).
For more information, or to learn about other upcoming drives, visit clothes2u.ca/, call 604-857-4617 or email clothes2u2002@gmail.com
– with files from Tanmay Ahluwalia