The Amherst Kids Closet will move to its first location, 1950 Kresge Drive in Amherst, as a newly established nonprofit.
The organization focuses on providing free clothing to children in need in the Amherst community by securing donations.
With a fixed location, Amherst Kids Closet can further support its cause, according to head organizer Lori Betchker.
“We decided to apply for funding with Elyria Charities and they kindly were able to help us with some startup costs,” Betchker said. “We think it will be (big) enough for our rotating inventory.”
The 600-square-foot space will allow the overflowing stock of clothing in the storage unit to be neatly organized on clothing racks and shelves, Betchker said.
Amherst Kids Closet is conveniently located on a corner of the plaza for high exposure to passersby, she said.
“It just seems surreal that we’re finally going to have a space where we’re going to be able to gift what we’ve been collecting,” Betchker said. “We’re going to make it look nice, and a welcoming environment.”
Funds from Elyria Charities will help other expenses, like purchasing new socks and underwear for the closet and starting the 501c3 application process, she said.
With 501c3 status, the organization can apply for further funding to aid in costs and other programming, Betchker said.
“Maybe include some programming to help families, to help kids — job ready kids who are ready to enter the workforce,” she said. “We would love to do things like that if we can.”
Since announcing the start of the closet in December, Betchker said the community has supported the organization with donations and other means, like providing shelves or totes.
Donation bins around Amherst routinely were taken care of by organizers, she said.
“We’re really proud that we’ve been able to turn over those bins and collect the items quickly,” Betchker said. “We’ve kept our word and the system is working well.
“People really packaged it (clothing) nicely for us when they gave it to us. We have a lot of nice things to give.”
The Clothing Loft boutique, 1917 Cooper Foster Park Road in Amherst, is joining forces with the Amherst Kids Closet by raffling off a rolling Hulken bag and giving 100% of the proceeds back, according to Betchker.
The boutique will host a donation event Feb. 20 where 15% of sales will go back to the Amherst Kids Closet, she said.
“We’re really proud of the timeline, and we’ve had a lot of people rallying behind us; a lot of community support,” Betchker said. “We hope that everyone enjoys the concept of sustainable clothing, of recycling, of swapping out your clothes when your kids grow out of them.”
For more information, contact the Amherst Kids Closet at [email protected].
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