July 28 clothing giveaway for Sulphur storm victims
SULPHUR, Okla. (KFOR) — It's been nearly three months since the town of Sulphur was ripped apart by a tornado. As the town continues to rebuild, help from out of state is still coming as a non-profit clothing giveaway organization is planning a trip at the end of July.
“The economic storm lasts for years after the actual storm,” said Katy Lingle Pinson, the founder and director of Save The Closet.
The small town of Sulphur was hit hard by the late April EF-3 tornado. Their historic downtown was destroyed.
As they put the pieces back together, Save The Closet, a group from Florida, wants to help.
“We developed a free mobile pop-up boutique where people can shop for what they want,” said Pinson.
Pinson is the founder and said it was created after she lived through Hurricane Michael and had a tug on her heart to give back to others.
“It looked like a set for the apocalypse. I mean, I had never seen it, I didn't know nature could do that. I was that clueless. It was so horrific,” said Pinson.
She said since 2018, they've traveled to six states and have given clothes to over 26,000 people across the country after natural disasters.
The group also has an Oklahoma tie as one of the founding board members is from Tulsa.
“He actually paid the bills when we started. So without Peter Kullen, who lives in Tulsa, there would be no Save The Closet.
Their next stop is Sulphur on July 28.
“We wouldn't be here without an Oklahoman. That's why we're coming to Oklahoma,” said Pinson.
Their free clothing giveaway is July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Murray County Expo Center.
No ID is required, but they ask that you sign in so they know how many people they’re helping out.
Pinson said the pop-up shop will look like a store with shopping bags and mannequins placed around the Expo Center.
“It's going to look too good to be true. It isn't. It really is free. It really is wonderful and we're thrilled to do it. People always come up like, what's the catch? There's no catch. It's just really nice,” said Pinson.
If you need children's or men's clothes, the group suggests arriving early as those tend to be gone faster than others.
The group also said if you'd like to volunteer, you can go to the Murray County Expo Center around 8 a.m. on July 28 to help set up the mobile shop.