For three days, students in the Non-Traditional Academy program set up a stand in the lunchroom and waited for donations of gently used clothing.

According to Non-Traditional Academy (NTA) coordinator Chris Weaver, students began to collect clothing Feb. 17. Since then, they have received a variety of items.

“It’s a little bit of everything — girls’ clothes, boys’ clothes, some accessories,” Weaver said. “Like most places we’ll probably have more women’s stuff than men’s.”

According to Weaver, NTA students have nearly finished the process of washing and sorting donated clothing.

Senior Yunita Thomas, a NTA student, said she decided to call the project the “NTA Clothes Closet.”

“I just hope that people decide to do the right thing and give away the clothes they don’t need,” Thomas said.

Weaver said he created the project with the objective of giving NTA students experience in community service, community outreach and skill-building.

“The first (goal) for us was how can we provide a space for kids to get clothing if they’re in need,” Weaver said. “Second, provide our NTA students with a community service project.”

On top of what NTA students gain through the project, Weaver said he hopes the Clothes Closet makes a positive impact.

“It’s a place where kids in need can get high-quality clothing at a low price,” Weaver said.

Weaver said there’s an incentive added for seniors with unexcused absences to donate clothing.

“We’re still accepting donations. I will still give community service hours — one a piece up to 15 hours,” Weaver said.

Senior Amy Gradoz, who helped wash and sort the clothes, said she takes pride in the condition of the clothes received so far.

“We noticed some of the items still had tags on them,” Gradoz said. “It’s not just used clothes. It’s also new clothes that other people haven’t worn.”

Weaver said students can purchase and donate clothing from 8:10 to 8:40 Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning March 10 outside of the Media Center classroom in the C1 circle.