Non-profit that gives Fresno children clothes recovering after theft

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A non-profit that gives hundreds of children in Fresno County free clothes is now recovering from a break-in. On Sunday, July 21, the site was broken into just before the busiest time of the year.

Director and Co-Founder of Randy’s Closet Lorraine Estrada runs the non-profit out of a small room in La Hacienda at Clinton Avenue and Highway 99. She gives children 30 minutes to look through a room filled with clothes and pick out three free outfits.

Estrada says on average it would cost families $250 per child to provide the same amount of clothes they get for free at Randy’s Closet.

Estrada says she started Randy’s Closet about five years ago, in memory of her late first husband, Randy.

“My first husband passed away from cancer 15 years ago and he was a giver, Estrada said. “He loved giving to the community.” Estrada and her second husband named their non-profit after Randy to carry on his legacy of generosity.

Estrada initially partnered with Central Unified and Fresno Unified liaisons to find the children in the district who needed help most and provide them with free clothes.

“[Liaisons] will set up an appointment for [students] and then they are able to come over here and get clothes,” Estrada said.

Now, Estrada says she’s expanded and is providing her services to a much larger area.

“Since January, we have reached probably about 600 students,” Estrada said. “We’re in Fresno County now, that is [Fresno City], Parlier, Biola, and Caruthers. We’re hoping to get Sanger and Selma on board by the end of this year.”

With new boundaries and expansions come new struggles. Estrada says on Sunday the closet was broken into, and someone had stolen recently donated clothing for teen boys including new shoes, shirts, shorts and pants.

“That was a big loss for us,” Estrada said.

But when the community heard what happened, Estrada says friends and family reached out and helped fully stock the closet.

Estrada says she’s grateful she and her small team can now continue to provide for the children most in need in Fresno – right before the closet’s busiest season, back to school.

“God provided and our shelves are full again and we are thankful for our donors,” Estrada said. “All the hours we put in, it’s all worth it to see a child be so excited of a pair of shoes that aren’t even new.”

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