The Foster Closet

The Foster Closet exists to help foster children in Southeast Tennessee by providing them with clothing and other essential items. Too often children come into care with only the clothing they are wearing at the time of placement. With that in mind, our goal is to supply an Initial Placement Pack (IPP) consisting of a meal for the foster family, approximately one week's worth of new or gently used clothing, pajamas, and other needed items for each foster child upon placement. Foster families may also come in seasonally to shop for their child(ren).

Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm 

2025

Closet Donation Guidelines

NEW THIS YEAR:

The following donations will only be accepted from the 1st - 15th of each month with a 3 bag/box limit per household per day:

  • Clothing

  • Shoes

  • Books

  • Toys

All other donations including new items, toiletries, diapers, equipment, furniture, and financial donations are accepted all month long. 

REMINDERS:

Clothing Guidelines:

  • In season

  • Laundered

  • No safety pins/hangers

  • Sizes preemie through adult XXL

  • New or GENTLY USED

  • No holes, fading, excessive wear, pilling

  • No familial references (Mommy’s Favorite, Daddy’s Little Girl, Grandma’s Angel, etc…)

  • No violent or vulgar words, logos, or references

  • No reference to drugs or alcohol

  • ABSOLUTELY NO USED SOCKS OR UNDERWEAR

reminders:

Equipment Guidelines:

  • Cribs must be manufactured after 2012 and include all required hardware in a plastic bag secured to the crib

  • Car seats may be donated new or used as long as they have never been involved in an accident and they have more than 12 months remaining before they expire

  • No walkers 

  • No door-hanging jumpers 

  • No Rock N Plays

  • No used bottle nipples or pacifiers 

  • No recalled toys or equipment of any kind

  • Toys must be like new and all parts/pieces must be secured in a bag or with tape


Items Most Needed:

  • Gift cards to clothing stores - Old Navy, Abercrombie, Kohl’s, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy, etc…

  • Gift cards for restaurants to assist us in providing meals for families with new placements

  • Baby Toiletries (New/Unopened)

  • Teen Toiletries (New/Unopened)

  • Makeup/Nail Polish (New/Unopened)

  • Car seats/Boosters 

  • New socks (infant through adult)

  • New underwear (toddler through adult)

Shop The Foster Closet

If you have multiple children, please fill out a form for each child.