Pena House launches clothing drive for Sinlaku survivors

Pena House Boutique & Salon has kicked off a weeklong clothing donation drive—dubbed Clear your Closet, For a Cause—aimed at helping residents displaced by Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with organizers urging the community to “clear your closet” for those still in shelters.

Sales supervisor Alicia Barbo said the initiative, which runs from May 1 to May 8, was spearheaded by shop owner Michelle Lin Sablan after seeing the needs of evacuees firsthand.

“This is really, really helpful for the community because she’s seen some of the people in the shelter right now, and they know they are struggling looking for clothes right now,” Barbo said.

Pena House is collecting new or gently used clothing for all ages—from infants and toddlers to adults—as recovery efforts continue across Saipan. Priority needs include children’s clothing, as well as women’s and men’s apparel.

Barbo said the response was immediate, with more than 10 bags already donated on the first day alone. In addition, Sablan contributed items directly from the store’s inventory.

“Basically, she delivered like around 10 bags already to the shelter,” Barbo said, noting that items have been distributed to evacuation sites including Marianas High School and other schools housing displaced families.

Donations are accepted during business hours only, Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, at Peña House

located at the Sablan Afetna Plaza on Beach Road in Afetnas.

The effort comes as many residents remain in temporary shelters following widespread storm damage, with clothing identified as an urgent need alongside food and basic supplies.

Barbo called on the wider community to continue supporting the drive.

“I’m calling our people here in Marianas to donate, if you have anything that’s new or currently good condition so we can able to donate it to the people in the shelters right now,” she said.

For more information on Pena House’s Clear your Closet, For a Cause, call (670) 235-7270.