From Form to Fulfillment: The Heart Behind Every Starfish Swap Clothing Package

If you ask any volunteer at Starfish Swap their favorite thing to do, the answer is almost always the same: “Pack clothing requests!”

But what does that actually look like?

Behind every blue bag is a thoughtful, four-step process designed to ensure that every student receives clothing that fits, feels good, and reflects who they are.

Step 1: The Request Arrives

It all begins with partnership. Once a school or community organization partners with Starfish Swap, they receive access to a digital request form. Whenever a student has a clothing need, the organization submits the form — and the work begins immediately.

Each request provides essential details about the child, including:

• Clothing sizes

• Age

• Most-needed items

• Wish list items

• Items they would never want to wear

These details matter. Especially when a student has a disability, sensory need, or strong personal preferences, specific clothing types can make all the difference. Comfort, dignity, and self-expression are always top priorities.

Step 2: Building the Fulfillment Sheet

Once the request is submitted, the student’s information is transferred to a Fulfillment Sheet. This sheet becomes the roadmap for volunteers.

From there, volunteers carefully select items based on the student’s sizes, needs, likes, and dislikes. We try to prioritize essentials first while keeping personal preferences in mind.

Each clothing package includes, at minimum:

• 4 short sleeve tops

• 4 long sleeve tops

• 5 pants or shorts

• 2 sweatshirts

• 1 pajama set

• 4 pairs of socks

• 4 pairs of underwear

• Winter coat, hat, and gloves (when requested)

This isn’t just a bag of clothes. It’s a thoughtfully prepared wardrobe.

Step 3: Packing with Care (and a Little Magic)

Now comes the volunteers’ favorite part.

Clothing is packed by outfit into Starfish Swap’s signature blue bags. Each bag is personalized with a starfish tag bearing the child’s name — a small but powerful reminder that this package was prepared just for them.

If available, accessories are tucked inside too — books, crafts, headbands, handbags, sunglasses, stuffed animals, wallets, and other small surprises that add joy.

When students have special requests, the team works hard to make them happen. Common requests include:

• Formal wear for graduations or dances

• Bathing suits for swim class

• Specific shoes

The organization often reaches out to the community first to source donated items. If an item can’t be found, it is purchased new to ensure the student’s need is met.

Because sometimes it’s not just about clothing, it is about confidence on a big day.

Step 4: Tracking Impact and Identifying Needs

Every single item that goes into a student’s bag is logged into Starfish Swap’s inventory tracker. This system allows us to:

• Identify clothing items that are running low

• Make strategic bulk purchases

• Share specific donation needs with the community

• Track which sizes are most frequently requested

• Report how many students and partner organizations are served annually

This careful tracking ensures our sustainability and growth so more students can be supported year after year.

More Than Clothing

At first glance, it may seem like volunteers are simply packing shirts and pants. But in reality, they’re packing dignity. They’re packing warmth. They’re packing confidence for the first day of school, for picture day, for graduation, for everyday life.

Each blue bag represents care, intention, and a community that shows up. And that’s why “packing clothing requests” isn’t just a task — it’s the heart of what Starfish Swap does.

Interested in volunteering? Join us on Tuesday nights from 4pm - 8 pm at our Bayport Location and see our process in action!