Blue Kangaroo offers quality clothes at no cost
EVANS CITY — It’s no mystery why the Blue Kangaroo has survived since its beginning in 2020 — good-quality, gently worn clothes offered for free. The only mystery is why it’s called the Blue Kangaroo.
The Blue Kangaroo no-cost clothing boutique for adults appears in Evans City from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Friday of the month.
It opens its doors at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 501 E. Main St., and allows shoppers to browse its two rooms — one dedicated to men’s clothing, the other to women’s clothing.
Shoppers can take as many clothing items as they like — coats, sweaters, shirts, pants and shoes — and they don’t pay for any of it.
One of its managers, Nancy Miller, of Evans City and a lifelong member of St. John’s, said the Blue Kangaroo was started by Erin Spaid, who began with a children’s clothing consignment shop in Cranberry Township.
But Spaid soon shifted her emphasis to recycling adult clothing as a way to reduce textile waste and worked with the consistory, or church council, of St. John’s to open the free clothing boutique in the church.
Spaid eventually moved to Colorado, leaving the Blue Kangaroo to be managed by Miller and Diane Iman.
“It’s been a wonderful experience, if a little bit trying, because she’s not here. We’re trying to keep her legacy here alive,” said Miller.
The boutique accepts men’s and women’s clothing from homes without smokers or pets because, Miller explained, they don’t have the ability to remove smoke smells or pet hair from donated clothing.
“We’re looking for middle-line, good quality clothes, every day clothes, clothes you would wear to work, nothing overly dressy,” Miller said.
Donations come from business overstocks or inventory from stores that have gone out of business, as well as individual donations.
“People can call up the church to set up an appointment to drop off clothes,” Miller said.
There’s no income restrictions for those seeking clothes. “Anybody can stop by for something you need,” she said, adding she can set up an appointment for people who would prefer to look for clothes in private.
There’s no limit to the amount of clothing items shoppers can take, with one exception.
“We’ve changed out in the last two weeks to winter wear. Most people are done with the summer stuff, unfortunately,” Miller said.
Leftover clothing will be sent to other charities such as the Salvation Army.
“If they didn’t want it this year, we’re not going to move it next year,” Miller said.
The Blue Kangaroo now has a selection of winter coats. “We’re limiting it to one coat per person,” she said.
Shopper Rosemarie Young of Beaver County, who stopped in one day last week, said, “It’s beautiful, beautiful first-class clothing. They did a beautiful organization. I’m just grateful for the people who donated.”
“We’d like to see more people come through. You’ve seen the stock back there. We are well provided,” Miller said.
She still isn’t sure where the name came from, though.
“I really don’t know. It was something she (Spaid) chose. I can’t give you an explanation other than it’s a catchy name,” she said.
To make an appointment to drop off clothing or to set up a private shopping session, call the church at 724-538-8124.
