The Care Closet is stocked with free items such as clothing, home goods, and toiletries.
Items are new, not used, and the closet is open to the agency’s 4,000 families navigating trauma, crisis and healing.
President and CEO Joel Bell says families are at some of the hardest points in their lives, when even simple needs can feel overwhelming.
“One more thing that reminds them of their difficulty and the challenge that they're having providing for some basic needs of their children, that can be one more setback, one more discouragement. To meet those needs really well with good stuff matters. It empowers the parents, helps the kids, really strengthens that family in those difficult times.”
Local manufacturing company Foam-It funded construction of the Care Closet matched by a donation of design, materials and installation by California Closets.
Volunteers like Brittany Gallup organized it and will manage stock going forward.
“It was hard because everything was in bins and totes before. So now we can easily see, hey, we're running low on this, and then we can, you know, ask the community for some support on that.”
There is a wish list on the D.A. Blodgett - St. Johns website.
Bell asks local groups or businesses to host collection drives or provide seasonal items like winter gear or holiday items.
Donations from individuals are welcome as well.
