To the editor:
The Shelter Alliance opened The Shelter Closet to the public on January 8, 2025.
By every measure, this venture has been a resounding success with focus on providing free clothing and other necessities to individuals experiencing homelessness while also being open to the public.
Currently, there are 101 homeless individuals registered at The Closet who have received free clothing, shoes, blankets and other items. Over 1,900 shoppers have given donations for bags of clothing and other items.
The Closet’s success would not be possible without Kent Center’s Executive Director and Board of Directors and the overwhelming generosity from our community with donations of clothing, shoes, towels, linens, blankets, and hygiene products. When the call goes out for items, the response has been immediate. Thanks also go to the Karma Club, Rachel at the YMCA, The Nearly New Shop, Shore United Bank and Charlotte heading the coat drive at Washington College.
[The Shelter Closet is located in the Kent Plaza Shopping Center, 711 Washington Ave., Chestertown.]
What is so special about The Closet is its warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The Shelter Alliance board members, Linda Kuiper and Shelia Barry, have overseen the development and operations of The Closet and have dedicated their time during open hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
In addition, The Closet’s success would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers who have given over 1,900 hours of their time. Our core group of volunteers Bonnie, Carol, Chris, Dennis, Eliza, Janet, Mary, Mary Alice, Nazareth, Sofia and some of our homeless individuals greet shoppers, sort donations, hang clothes and run the cart to the front door to receive donations. Thank you also to volunteers from Shore United Bank, Washington College interns through the Department of Social Services and students fulfilling community service for graduation.
In the past year, The Shelter Closet has partnered with Blessing Bags (blankets), A.F. Whitsitt Center (clothing), Grace Community Church Shower Ministry (clothing, blankets, and hygiene products), Samaritan Group (linens and hygiene products) and Complete Wellness Addiction Center (clothing). Other outreach has been collecting plastic medicine bottles for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and collecting plastic lids and bottle caps for the Bottle Caps to Benches recycling program.
During the past year to show customer appreciation, The Closet has given away Spring, Fall and Christmas wreaths, a gift card, and envelopes with Shelter Closet Bucks.
The true purpose of The Shelter Closet is and has opened a window to help those who are struggling to survive; individuals, mothers, fathers, and children in our community. There are both unemployed and employed who are unable to afford housing. It has been an overwhelming and emotional 12 months of sharing, listening, and helping.
If you would like to volunteer, you choose the days and times you want to volunteer.
Just to share a story, on Mother’s Day weekend a large box was sitting at the front door of The Closet. No shipping from or to information. The box contained a dozen pairs of women’s slippers. On Father’s Day weekend a large box was sitting at the front of The Closet. No shipping from or to information. The box contained a dozen pairs of men’s slippers. The Mother’s Day card and Father’s Day card were “from God.” We do not know who the Good Samaritan is, but you touched the hearts of all of us at The Closet. If you are reading this article, we Thank You and the recipients of the slippers thank you more.
All of us at The Shelter Alliance are thrilled with the success of The Shelter Closet, because of you, THANK YOU and best wishes for the New Year.
For The Closet updates go to www.shelteralliance.org/closet.
The Shelter Alliance is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. To make a contribution please make checks payable to “Mid-Shore Community Foundation” with “Shelter Alliance” in the memo line. Mail your check to The Shelter Alliance, P.O. Box 2, Chestertown, MD 21620.
