Clothing Waste
According to the EPA, discarded clothing is the largest source of textiles in municipal solid waste (MSW), followed by footwear, sheets, and towels.
- In 2018, the United States generated 17 million tons of textile waste.
- Of that amount:
- 2.5 million tons were recycled
- 3.2 million tons were combusted
- 11.3 million tons ended up in landfills
Homelessness
National Trends:
- 2023:
- 653,100 people were homeless on a single night (highest since 2007).
- Homelessness increased 12% from 2022.
- Families with children saw a 16% increase.
- 2024:
- 771,480 people were homeless nationwide—the highest ever recorded.
- Overall homelessness rose 18% from 2023.
- Families with children experienced a 39% increase.
- Nearly 150,000 children were homeless on a single night.
North Carolina (2024):
- Total: 11,626 people
- Individuals: 8,396
- Families: 3,230
- Unaccompanied youth: 524
- 39% unsheltered, 61% sheltered
- 22% are age 55 or older
- 18% are chronically homeless
Local Area (Gaston/Lincoln/Cleveland CoC):
- As of October 2025: 839 people experiencing homelessness
Poverty
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, poverty remains a significant challenge in Lincoln County, NC:
- 10% of all people live in poverty
- 7.1% of families live below the poverty level
- 23.4% of families with children under 17 live below the poverty level
- 15.5% of children under 18 live in poverty
- 15.9% of people aged 65 and older live in poverty
Why 2 Shirts?
The stark realities presented by this data evoke a profound sense of compassion and urgency. The increasing numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness, the persistent challenge of poverty, and the overwhelming volume of textile waste serve as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to care for one another.
These statistics should move us to action, inspiring us to love our neighbors with genuine concern and tangible support. This is the very purpose of 2 Shirts Ministry—to foster compassion through practical acts of kindness, such as providing clothing and promoting sustainable practices. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity and care – anyone with two shirts should share with the one who has none.
To explore how love, sustainability, and community intersect, we invite you to read our blog articles “Compassion. Clothing. Conservation.” and join us in making a meaningful difference.
Sources
[1] EPA – Facts and figures about materials, waste and recycling: textiles: material-specific data. Available from https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data. Accessed 23 September 2023.
[2] HUD – The 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Available from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2022-AHAR-Part-1.pdf.
[3] HUD – The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Available from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2023-AHAR-Part-1.pdf.
[4] HUD – The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Available from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf.
[5] Gaston/Lincoln/Cleveland CoC – Dashboard. Available from https://glcimpact.com.
[6] U.S. Census Bureau – Lincoln County, NC Profile
https://data.census.gov/profile/Lincoln_County,_North_Carolina?g=050XX00US37109