If you’re new to New York City and need clothing for yourself or your family — whether it’s casual everyday clothes, work outfits, winter gear, or children’s clothes — there are many places across the city that offer free clothing with no cost and no questions about your immigration status.
Walk-in free clothing closets (No ID required)
NeON Clothing Closets
The NeON Clothing Closets are one of the most accessible and reliable free clothing resources in NYC. Open to anyone in need — including migrants and asylum seekers — with no ID or immigration paperwork required. There is one location in each borough:
- Manhattan: 100 Centre Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10013
- Brooklyn: 345 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- Bronx: 198 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
- Queens: 162-24 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432
- Staten Island: 340 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
Hours vary by location, but most operate on weekday mornings and afternoons. Check the NeOn Clothing Closet’s webpage for detailed operational hours for each location.
These closets offer a variety of clothing for men, women, and children, including shoes and accessories. Some locations also have work clothes like suits or business wear.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church runs a long-standing clothing drive at 230 Classon Avenue in Brooklyn. They are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The church offers a variety of clothing for individuals and families in need.
Xavier Mission clothing closet
Located at 46 West 16th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue in Manhattan, the Xavier Mission Clothing Room offers free clothing on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of each month. They provide clothing for men, women, and children, and also offer business clothing for those seeking job interview outfits.
Free clothing for children
If you have children who need clothes, there are special programs focused on kids’ clothing.
Cradles to Crayons is an organization that delivers clothing, shoes, and school supplies for children from infants to teens. You can apply and enroll in the program through their service partner agency.
Another great option is Little Essentials, which provides baby and toddler clothing for children ages 0 to 5. To receive items, you must be referred by one of their partner organizations. If you need essentials for your child, review the list of partner organizations that may be able to help.
Other free clothing assistance
Cathedral Community Cares
Located at St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street in Manhattan, Cathedral Community Cares’s clothing closet offers free casual and professional clothing to individuals in need. This includes emergency clothing as well as work-appropriate attire for those preparing to re-enter the workforce.
People may receive clothing once per month. Walk-in days are held once a month, typically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with distribution beginning at 10 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. to secure a spot. A valid photo ID is required for all.
Those seeking professional clothing for job interviews or employment must provide a referral from an agency assisting with their job search. All clothing is distributed free of charge and is subject to availability.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army typically does not provide free clothing directly to the public but operates thrift stores where clothing is sold to support their programs. However, individuals with specific clothing needs may receive a free clothing voucher for use at their thrift stores in the region.
Additionally, the Salvation Army is the official clothing provider for new immigrants in NYC migrant facilities, offering vouchers redeemable for up to $75 per person, or $200 per family of three or more, through partnerships with city agencies. Ask your case worker or staff at the shelter how to get the voucher.
Seasonal coat programs (winter months only)
If you’re in need of warm clothing for winter, there are seasonal coat programs that specifically help people prepare for cold weather.
Between November and March, the New York Cares Coat Drive distributes free winter coats at various locations throughout the city, including libraries, community centers, and churches. You can find pickup locations on their website, and most places do not require ID.
Another option for winter gear is Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, at 410 West 40th Street. Their winter clothing distribution happens on Mondays during the winter months, typically from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. They provide coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, and other cold-weather essentials.
More ways to find free clothing
You should also keep an eye out for pop-up clothing giveaways that happen in different neighborhoods. There are several online tools that can help you quickly find nearby free clothing programs.
YourPeer NYC offers a simple, migrant-friendly map showing free clothing closets across all boroughs, many of which don’t require ID or referrals.
GoGetta NYC is another great resource, listing places that provide free clothes, food, and hygiene items, often used by asylum seekers and new arrivals.
FindHelp.org lets you search by zip code for free clothing services and other social supports like food and shelter.
You can also call NYC 311 and ask specifically for “free clothing assistance for migrants,” or search online at the NYC 311 website for updated information on available programs.
No matter how far you’ve traveled or what challenges you’re facing right now, know that you’re not alone in New York City. There are people and organizations across every borough who care deeply about making sure you and your family have what you need — not just food and shelter, but warmth, comfort, and dignity.
