Dear Supporters,
This year has tested our communities in profound and complicated ways—from devastating wildfires and indiscriminate immigration raids to ongoing federal actions and cuts that continue to erode access to essential services.
At Project Ropa, we’ve felt this impact firsthand.
Our waitlist of organizations requesting clean clothing, shoes, blankets, menstrual and hygiene products has more than doubled in the past year. As of this month, we have received requests from 143 organizations at over 200 service sites across Los Angeles—and the list keeps growing.
These requests come from every corner of our community: public defenders helping clients prepare for court, hospital staff working to discharge unhoused patients with dignity, social workers requesting clothing and hygiene kits for families, school counselors seeking essentials for their students, and individuals reaching out directly as they transition into housing, start new jobs, or face the winter months without shelter.
Just this week, one neighbor wrote:
“I just started a job and I need help getting black cargo pants and black T-shirts for the job.”
Requests like this highlight what we already know: access to clean clothing and hygiene products is not a luxury — it’s a basic human need. It affects health, mental well-being, dignity, and access to opportunity. From new underwear and menstrual products to jackets and socks, these items empower people to show up fully — to job interviews, housing appointments, and everyday life.
And the need has surged dramatically.
Since the SNAP shutdown and delays in benefit distribution, we’ve gone from receiving about 10 requests per week to more than 20 per day. These come from social workers, hospitals, shelters, public defender offices, and directly from neighbors in crisis.
They are all asking for the same thing: dignity, hope, and a clean start.
Why It Matters
Clean clothing and hygiene products — including menstrual care — directly impact a person’s physical health, mental well-being, and ability to show up for job interviews, medical appointments, and everyday life with confidence.
This season, we give thanks for the incredible support we’ve received from people like you. Together, we’ve:
- Provided essentials to over 5,000 people so far this year
- Given 140,000+ garments a second life
- Delivered care, dignity, and warmth directly into the hands of those most in need
Your support is making this possible — and it’s needed now more than ever.
How You Can Help This Season
We need your support to meet the growing need:
✅ Make a Donation — Every $25 helps outfit a neighbor in need.
🔗 projectropa.org/donate
🧤 Shop Our Wishlist — We’re currently in urgent need of:
- New or gently used men’s coats, hoodies, pants, and shoes
- New blankets
- Individually wrapped rolls of toilet paper
- Travel-size hygiene products
Your generosity helps restore dignity, warmth, and hope when it’s needed most.
With gratitude,
The Project Ropa Team
