Clothing bank ramps up efforts ahead of Eid Al Fitr

AMMAN – Touring the Charity Clothing Bank (CCB) showroom in downtown Amman is enough to prove the advantage of institutionalised philanthropy.

Established in 2013 by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), over 2.8 million pieces of clothing have so far been distributed to underprivileged families, who choose the pieces they want.

With the help of volunteers, the bank receives clothing from donors and sorts it into winter and summer clothes, according to CCB Director Rawan Masadeh.

"We ramp up our efforts during Ramadan ahead of Eid Al Fitr. Our focus is now more on orphans and beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund," she told The Jordan Times in a recent interview, noting that the bank cooperates with charities across the Kingdom to ensure better access to its services.

"We consider charitable associations as our executive arm that helps us reach more people," Masadeh highlighted.

The CCB's sensitivity to the specific needs of its beneficiaries is evident in the various programmes it implements, which cater for the needs of all individuals.

"The Brides Closet" and "Abayaty" are two initiatives that will be launched after the Eid Al Fitr feast, which is celebrated at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

"The Brides Closet is meant to provide newly weds with clothes, linen and other home requirements," said Masadeh, who added that "Abayaty" seeks to provide elderly people with "suitable and traditional clothes".

"Most of the donations are trousers and blouses. We want to draw people's attention to the needs of elderly people and conservative young people," she noted.

On the other hand, clothing the bank receives that is not fit for use is shredded and used to make mattresses and cushions, which are distributed to families and charities.

While the facility receives "a very huge number of in-kind donations", Masadeh urged the private sector to provide more financial support to the bank, especially ahead of Eid Al Fitr, which is traditionally associated with gifts of clothing, particularly for children.

"We want children to have new clothes to feel the joy of Eid," the CCB director said.

The bank selects its beneficiaries in cooperation with the National Aid Fund, which has a database of impoverished households across the Kingdom.

Since the start of this year, the CCB has managed to reach 47,429 fund beneficiaries, 37,974 charities, 3,222 orphans, 14,398 families from different governorates and 149 people with disabilities, according to Masadeh.

Donors can call the bank at 06/46466446 or drop clothes off at one of its boxes located in various companies and malls