Quality Clothing, Minus the Cost: Roadrunner Clothing Connections has you covered.

When: Mon. Tues. 11:00am - 1:00pm

Where: Forum Room 109, LBCC Albany Campus, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW

Website:  Schedule an appointment

What's Next: Stop by and pick out something new!

All photos courtesy of: Marsh Hamel

Prices are out of sight, out of mind at LB’s Roadrunner Clothing Connection. Operating under the supervision of the college’s American Association of Women In Community Colleges chapter, the door is wide open every Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The boutique provides a curated retail experience  aimed at catering to every student’s needs for any particular event or occasion, allowing 10 items per term for full- or part-time students – completely free of charge. 

The typical “community college experience” is anything but that. Students come from all walks of life, bringing their varied experiences along with them. While the differences within the lives of students at Linn-Benton may vary to any degree, Roadrunner Clothing Connections seeks to bridge whatever gaps may be present by offering high-quality clothing for any scenario, minus the cost. 

Upon entering at Forum Room 109, there’s only one question that needs to be answered; “Full-time or part time?”

The boutique’s commitment toward providing a safe and secure service to all LBCC students simply would not be possible without the dedication from those volunteering their time and energy to the cause, such as administrative assistant Lena Spencer, who’s in charge of the operation.

“Being able to connect with students and see the change in their lives is really what it’s all about,” Spencer said. “We’ve had all kinds of stories where students who are in kind of a dark place, or feel empty or sad come in and we’re able to give them clothing.” 

For many, knowing that their backs, and frankly the rest of their bodies, are covered offers peace of mind rarely found elsewhere. 

In Spencer’s eyes, there’s much more at stake than just a new pair of clothes.  It’s about allowing students the opportunity to express themselves through their attire, and live comfortably without any of the social expectations or financial limitations they may be accustomed to.

“It’s like a hug from their entire community,” Spencer said. “When you feel loved and cared for, you have so much more potential to succeed, and that’s the difference at community college.” 

For the other volunteers who run the boutique, this is a pivotal factor for why they do what they do. 

“I do this because I want it to be open more hours,” said LB’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Development Ann Buchele, who was on the scene volunteering.

“My dream is that it could be open every day of the week.” 

As far as donations are concerned, the boutique operates similar to a thrift store. Anyone who wants to donate can simply drop off their items at the front desk inside the boutique, where the volunteers immediately get to work organizing whatever happens to make its way to the table.

“Since it first opened, I’ve donated quite a few times,” said Dean of Advanced Manufacturing & Transportation Technology Steve Schilling, having just dropped off a few bags’ worth of items.

For Schilling, it’s reassuring to know that his donations aren’t merely being offloaded into a bin, never to be thought of or seen again, and likely headed to a landfill. Donating directly to the services on campus ensures that the spirit of thrift stays true, and “cuts the middle man” so to speak.

“I'm a saver,”  Schilling continued, “I have lots of shirts, jackets and Levi’s that I won’t ever get into anymore, but I don’t want to see them go to waste.”

The impact that a new outfit, or a decent pair of shoes can have on an individual cannot be understated. In a time where “brand” clothing doesn’t always equate to quality, and the majority of fabrics used in production contain less durable, highly polluting synthetic materials, finding the right clothes to wear for a day on the job, or for toughing it out in the colder weather can be quite the challenge, and when cost is factored into the equation, the limits only continue to grow.

Services such as the Roadrunner Clothing Connection break down these boundaries, and turn walls that divide us, financial or otherwise, into bridges to be crossed.

Those who are in need of new clothing, or are looking for the next piece to compliment their favorite outfit can do so by dropping in on Monday or Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by making an appointment using the link above or scanning the QR code on the sign outside of Forum 112 on the Albany campus.