NEW HOME NEEDED! The Clothesline could be at the end of its line without one

| How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, Clothesline’s current location)

Got 2,000 spare square feet? You might be able to help save our area’s free community clothing bank The Clothesline, whose search for a new home is now urgent. Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Food Bank today announced that The Clothesline, its free community clothing bank, must find new space by the end of 2025 due to the sale of its current host property. The program is urgently seeking a 2,000 sq ft space within five miles of the food bank to continue serving local families with dignity and choice.

“The Clothesline is a simple idea with a profound impact – dignity. It gives people the chance to choose clothing that fits their lives, their needs and their style — the same way any of us would want to shop,” said Fran Yeatts, Executive Director of the West Seattle Food Bank. “That dignity is what makes this program so powerful and why finding it a new home is so urgent. Last year alone, the community donated enough clothing for us to provide more than 90,000 items to people of all ages. We’re asking West Seattle landlords, faith and civic leaders, and businesses to help us keep this lifeline open by offering or helping us locate a new space.”

What The Clothesline Does
The Clothesline is free and open to anyone in need, offering a dignified, “shop-for-yourself” experience so people can choose items that truly fit their needs—workwear, school clothes, coats, shoes, baby items, bedding, and more. Inventory is sourced entirely from new and gently used donations from local neighbors and corporate partners.

Why a New Home Is Needed
The Clothesline currently operates in leased space owned by a local church that is selling the property. The existing setup includes roughly 1,250 sq ft of display space and 1,250 sq ft of donation-processing workspace, with additional storage and restrooms. Current rent is $3,000/month including utilities.

Space Criteria

~2,000 sq ft total (can be split across rooms)
Within 5 miles of West Seattle Food Bank
Near a bus line
Some on-site parking and an easy drop-off area for donations
Wheelchair accessible preferred

How to Help / Who to Contact

Landlords, property managers, congregations, schools, and community partners with suitable space to lease or host (in-kind or reduced rent) are encouraged to reach out:

Contact: Fran Yeatts, Executive Director
Email: fran@westseattlefoodbank.org
Phone: 206-932-5385

The Clothesline has been in its current home for six years. City files show a plan for four single-family houses on at least part of the site.

Dee Hayward August 29, 2025 (5:41 pm)

This is a program I didn’t know about. I don’t have property for a new home but would be very interested in donating next time I go through closets so please enlighten us. Thank you.

Kt August 29, 2025 (8:07 pm)

The Clothesline accepts donations of new or like-new clothing, bedding, hygiene products, tents, and suitcases/backpacks to be distributed to the community.Please only donate clothing that is clean and in good condition. If you have clothing to donate that is not ready-to-wear, find your closest Goodwill donation site here.Please call ahead if you have more than one car load to donate (206-932-9023) and bag your donations in garbage/plastic bags that can be tied closed. This helps us keep them clean and dry. Thank you!We accept donations any time during open hours, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am – 1pm.No appointment is necessary to drop off donations. Please note that any donations left outside these hours or overnight are unusable and will need to be disposed of.Bring donations to the Clothesline at 4425 41st Ave SW, Seattle WA 98116

wsresident August 29, 2025 (10:04 pm)

I’m praying to hear that one of the many churches in the area that sits empty 90% of the time offers some of its space to help these guys out. It’s a crucial service that is helping people around the clock, not just Sundays from 10-2.

Citizen Joe August 30, 2025 (6:21 am)

Amen!
K August 30, 2025 (8:11 am)

Absolutely.
Anne Bowman August 31, 2025 (10:54 am)

I volunteer weekly at the Clothesline. Churches want to help the help us, however, they only offer temporary space and we would have to move in and out regularly. Logistically it would be very challenging with lines of clients out the door, and cars parking, pulling up and dropping off donations, etc. We need a permanent space to run as we do currently.

Me mama August 30, 2025 (8:53 am)

@wsresident @citizen Joe reacting to your accusation that churches are empty— The church in my neighborhood (admiral ucc) is a bustling place most of the time- they provide space to a constant stream of AA meetings, childcare, other community meetings and are an open door to all the metro drivers for a restroom oh, and that same church will be torn down for affordable housing and a much smaller space for them. They are doing the community good. Maybe one of our many commercial landlords would like to donate one of their long vacant properties in the area for this cause the churches I know of are pretty full.