They started swapping kids’ clothes at parties. Their efforts became a Fort Worth nonprofit

Villages are great for raising children. However, when it comes to clothing them — and adults even — it takes a community.

Which is why Fort Worth Community Collaborative was started. The nonprofit organization, celebrating its second year of service, works to connect people with clothing by partnering with a variety of other nonprofits.

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of time passed, but a testament to the resilience and generosity of our community,” FWCC President Kelly Warner said. “In just two short years, we have witnessed the transformative power of collective action and the impact it can have on the lives of individuals and families in Fort Worth.”

How it started

FWCC was co-founded by friends Warner and Haley Ballenger in early 2022. Soon after they brought another friend, Kate Preston, onboard.

“Kelly, Kate and I are friends in real life. We have a tight-knit group of five families that we call our ‘framily,’ and it just so happens that our kids are stair-stepped in age,” Ballenger explained. “We started swapping clothes amongst ourselves, and eventually we opened it up to a Facebook group. That is when things really took off.”

Ballenger said after hosting several successful clothing swap parties with other moms, a realization sat in.

“We started to realize that clothing insecurity is a real problem for a lot of community members, but especially for families, and we wanted to build a bridge to cover that gap in resources,” she said.

While none of the three officers in the group are from Fort Worth (Kelly is president and Kate is secretary, both from Austin; Ballenger is treasurer and from Houston), all fell in love with Funkytown and decided to make it their forever home. As such, they wanted to pay homage and emphasize community.

“You know the old saying, ‘It takes a village?’ That’s were we come in,” Ballenger said. “We tell our shoppers ‘We don’t need to know your why, we’re just here to help.”

How it works

FWCC collects new/gently used donated clothing from all over the Metroplex. They then launder (if needed), separate by size, sort and store in their warehouse.

“When it’s time for a pop-up, we pull totes of sorted clothing and transport it to the venue,” Ballenger said.

A pop-up is an event where people are invited to shop for free and take as many items as they need.

“We never ask for proof of income or family size and we never enforce an item limit,” Ballenger said. “Our slogan is ‘Everyone shops for free with FWCC!’”

FWCC is independent from any religious organization, school/PTA, or foster/adoption agency, Ballenger noted.

“We welcome everyone. We offer clothing, shoes and accessories in every size, from newborn to plus, and for every gender identity,” she said.

Over the past couple of years FWCC has distributed over 6,000 pounds of clothing. In addition, another 1,000 pounds of unwearable items were donated to clothing recycling centers as part of their efforts to reduce textile waste.

“I have an environmental job and textile waste is a huge problem,” Warner said. “The average American consumer disposes of about 81 pounds of clothing a year.

“This is one of the reasons we recycle anything that isn’t wearable. Not only do we want people to have access to clothing, we want to keep textile waste out of the landfills.”

Ballenger stressed that FWCC is for more than families facing serious financial challenges. She noted that with rising costs, almost everyone is finding the purchase of clothing something of a luxury.

“The cost of everything is continuing to rise, and it’s hitting families especially hard. Sure, you can go to Walmart or Target and purchase a new shirt for $5 or $7. But sometimes you need that $5 or $7 for gas, or groceries. Then what do you do?” she said.

“All of Fort Worth ISD is required to wear uniforms, which can easily set a family back $50 to $100 per child. Or what about folks who are starting a new job and need professional wear? Or women who are pregnant and can’t afford maternity wear to keep up with their changing bodies? The list could go on and on.”

Bertie Gartner, program coordinator for LGBTQ Saves, noted his praises for the organization.

“I honestly love FWCC and all that they do. I appreciate that they take in clothes of all kinds to re-distribute in areas of Fort Worth that have the most need,” Gartner said. “Their pop-ups really bring a lot of care to the folks they serve, and their shoppers get to maintain their dignity.

“FWCC has set up for LGBTQ Saves a few times, and our queer youth have appreciated the friendly and unbiased atmosphere. It means a lot when they can grab what makes them feel good versus what society expects them to wear.”

Funding and donations

FWCC is 100% donation and grant funded. They recycle unusable clothing items through the Green Bin Program, which also generates a small amount of income, Ballenger said.

FWCC accepts new and gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories.

The Benbrook Public Library hosts a permanent donation station where items can be dropped off during business hours.

Also, FWCC is 100% volunteer run.

“We have five board members who donate their time and resources to help make FWCC a success, as well as community volunteers who help out at pop-ups,” Ballenger said.

Volunteers assist in such ways as unloading and organizing clothing, assisting shoppers, weighing bags, and tearing down after the event is over.

“We like to joke that we play well with others, but really, we’re all about the collaborative spirit,” Ballenger said with a chuckle.

Among the organizations FWCC partners with are:

• Chhaupadi, which provides menstrual and hygiene products.

• Jolt Action, voter registration services.

• Northside Inter Community Agency (NICA), help with groceries and utilities.

• Cook Children’s, healthcare for children.

• LVTRise, multiple services to the Las Vegas Trail neighborhood.

• Fortress, family services in the historic Near Southside neighborhood.

“I’m a west Fort Worth resident born and raised, wife and mother of three,” said Liz Bearce, Fort Worth Weird Kids Club Administrator. “We’re living in a time where life can be difficult with the cost of living on the rise, especially for those raising families. Kids grow quickly, and the need to upsize constantly can feel overwhelming while trying to maintain a household budget.

“Everyone behind the scenes of Fort Worth Community Collaborative, from the founders to board members to volunteers to supporters, they all have one thing in common, which is a loving, giving, compassionate heart. Something FWCC has done that’s different from other local clothing resources is to not only provide needed items, but to bring that sense of true community back into Fort Worth.”

Bearce stressed that no matter how busy their pop-up events get, there’s always someone from FWCC willing to take the time to talk with and get to know shoppers.

“They take the time to help them find sizes, make selections, and carry things to their vehicles for them. They hear their story, make a human connection without judgment, just love and support, give them a ‘Hey, I’m here for you, I see you, I support you,’” she said. “And I feel like that’s something a lot of our attendees sometimes need most, to be heard, understood and supported.”

Looking ahead

Ballenger said they’d love to be able to purchase a bus and convert it into a mobile boutique. Also, FWCC is actively looking for a retail/warehouse space where they can set up a permanent community closet.

As they enter their third year, FWCC also seeks to expand their reach into more

areas of Fort Worth, along with securing a second space for another donation station.

That’s quite a bit of growth from a simple idea, Ballenger said.

“At the end of the day, we’re a group of — mostly — moms who saw a need and tried to fill it,” she said.