Clothing Insecurity
Clothing Insecurity refers to not having reliable access to appropriate, clean, or professional clothing.
For college students, this can affect
- Daily life: warm clothing for winter, affordable basics, laundry access
- Academic Participation: Missing class or campus activities due to lack of suitable attire.
- Career readiness: Difficulty obtaining professional clothing for interviews, internships, or networking events.
Campus Resources
If you are experiencing clothing insecurity, explore the campus and community resources listed here. Whether you need winter gear or professional attire for interviews, support is available to help you succeed academically and successfully. Please feel free to reach out to our basic needs team for assistance at basicneeds@farmingdale.edu
Green Giveaway Thrift Event
If you’re experiencing clothing insecurity, the Office for Sustainability hosts the
Green Giveaway thrift event once each semester. This event provides free clothing
and other essentials donated by the campus community, so students can access what
they need without financial burden.
Items often include clothing, shoes, jackets, hats, and sometimes dorm or school essentials.
For questions about the Green Giveaway or upcoming event dates, please contact the Office for Sustainability directly.
Community Resources
Options Thrift Shop offers affordable clothing and essentials while providing a supportive environment for individuals in mental health programs. Located at 392 Hawkins Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, the shop is open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. For details, call 631-676-4579 before visiting.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to helping neighbors in need through person-to-person assistance. Their thrift stores provide affordable clothing and household items, and families in need may receive clothing vouchers for essential items. Assistance is offered without judgment and is available to anyone facing hardship.
Learn more or find a location at svdpli.org.
Cathedral Community Cares is located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025. The CCC Clothing Closet provides casual, seasonally appropriate garments for our neighbors in need. Clothing is distributed free of charge, based on availability.
For those seeking professional attire, a referral from an agency familiar with their employment search is required. Identification is required for all guests.
Pronto's Thrift Center is open Monday-Saturday and serves individuals and families of all ages and sizes. Those looking to obtain services can meet with Pronto intake workers and are given a voucher for free items. Guests are also encouraged to shop at the Center.
The Center is located at 128 Pine Aire Drive, Bay Shore NY 11706, and to learn more you can call Pronto at 631-231-8290.
The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) operates The Boutique, a distribution center which offers free clothing options to individuals in need. Clothing varies from casual to business attire as well as seasonal gear. The Boutique also runs a food pantry on-site.
To request a walk-in appointment or referral for food and clothing items, please contact the FSC Case Manager at basicneeds@farmingdale.edu or 934-420-5832.
This page contains links to websites outside of Farmingdale State College. The list of contacts on this site regarding various resources and services is provided for the convenience of our site users. This list does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Farmingdale State College's Basic Needs Team. Please also note that this list is in no way exhaustive and does not contain all possible resources that may benefit our site users.
Basic needs
Dewey Hall, Room
934-420-2104
basicneeds@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm