Shopping for clothes – Smiddy's Closet helps UVA Wise students in need

WISE — Rick Galyean and Tiffany Browning run one of the most popular clothing boutiques along Coeburn Mountain Road. Galyean, Director of the Wesley Foundation at UVA Wise, and college Student Affairs staffer Tifffany Browning are the management, receiving clerks and 'sales' associates for Smiddy's Closet. The Closet got its start before the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help students in need to get free business attire for job interviews. Since that time, the Closet found its home at the Wesley Foundation and has grown both in selection, space and scope of service it provides to students. "Smiddy's Closet's original goal was to make business attire available for students who needed it but couldn't afford It," said Galyean. "The idea for the Closet came from. A similar program at East Tennessee State University, and it's grown ever since. Browning found herself helping with the Closet and was on the scene when Galyean took Wesley's helm a year ago. "Tiffany knows about this clothing," said Galyean. "She has done that like a trooper and that place is organized great. Kids know where to come in and find the clothes they need with no hesitation. If they need it, we let them come in and look for it." Leading an impromptu tour of the 'store,' Browning said donations from the community and area businesses have helped provide store-style clothing racks and a retail-style environment that makes the experience better for students. "Even if it's outside the times we're here," said Browning, "even on a Friday, if I or Rick get a call from somebody wanting to donate or a student needing something, we'll run over and make sure they're taken care of." "We're trying to get it expanded," Browing added. "I have two racks, one for men and women. If we had more racks and space, we could do even more. It's a passion of mine. I'm a boutique clothing shopper and I'm big on clothes." Both the men's and women's sections look like a clothing boutique rather than a closet of donated clothing. Shoes, accessories, ties, pants, dresses, suit coats, long coats and jackets for the summer and early fall season. Dozens of shoe boxes with donated footwear from area businesses line the hallway outside the Closet. With UVA Wise enrollment running around 2,000 students, Browing said as many as 100 students come to the Closet each semester needing clothing. She has been working to broaden the range of clothes to cover needs beyond business clothing for a job, interview or internship. International students coming to UVA Wise also make up a large segment of students making use of Smiddy's Closet. "Some students come here and don't realize how cold it gets in Wise," said Galyean. "We've also expanded the stocks to include casual clothing and winter clothes." Both the Closet and Smiddy's Cupboard – a counterpart helping students in need with food and personal care items – were named after the college's first chancellor, "Uncle Joe" Smiddy. Galyean and Browning both said the Closet works to follow Smiddy's tradition of helping students succeed since the college's founding in 1954. Both services got their start before the pandemic, and Browing said the demand has grown during her time working with the Closet. "People think financial aid covers everything," said Browning, "but often there's not a lot left after tuition, books and housing." "We take donations from faculty, staff and people in the community.," Galyean said. We've gotten all kinds of clothes – nice business attire, long coats, things that would cost $400 or $500. They're gently used and in great shape, so students coming here are getting quality clothing." Besides clothing, Smiddy's Closet also accepts donations of clothes hangers, clothing racks or cash to purchase clothing items to fill size gaps in the Closet's selection.Galyean said the Closet has fit with Wesley's role of spiritual support and a place where students can gather. "We have a weekly supper at Wesley," said Galyean, "and all students are welcome to come here and get a meal or coffee. We're trying to start a weekly lunch as well, and students can come, eat and look at the clothing. We also have a prayer room." Smiddy's Closet follows normal Wesley Foundation hours – 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 1 – 8 p.m. on Thursdays – and donations can be made at those times or by scheduling an appointment. For more information, call UVA Wise Student Affairs (276) 328-0214, the Wesley Foundation at (276) 328-6826, or email:- &emsp;&emsp;Rick Galyean – rdg3y@uvawise.edu- &emsp;&emsp;Tiffany Browning – trb9ft@uvawise.edu