No foster family should do this alone.
Mary Ann's Closet was started by foster parents who learned in their first week how much a new placement needs, and how little arrives with the child.
How it started
Our founder welcomed her first foster child, a five-year-old who arrived in toddler clothes. Then came a five-month-old with only newborn clothes and none of the basics: no bottles, no stroller, no diapers.
She spent hundreds of dollars that first week and realised other foster families were facing the same thing, often with less to fall back on. So she started a closet where foster parents and relative caregivers can get clothing, shoes, diapers, baby equipment, toys and necessities at no cost, so a placement call never has to be a financial crisis.
Who Mary Ann was
The closet is named for our founder’s mother, Mary Ann, who spent her life helping others. She was an AIDS educator, worked against consumer fraud, taught sociology, took photographs and knit constantly.
She would knit children’s hats and hand them out to families in need at local soup kitchens, without ever looking for recognition. This closet tries to carry that on.
Help the next family say yes
We're run entirely by volunteers, so your gift goes to the things kids need. Mary Ann's Closet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations may be tax-deductible.