The Caring Closet

05/28/2026

Please read this long post about clothing donations for the Caring Closet. It will answer some important questions.

The Caring Closet accepts clothing donations for school aged children. Donations must be FRESHLY LAUNDERED and in a PLASTIC BAG with the top tied closed.

What items can we accept?

Very gently used or new clothing that children can wear to school. All items must meet school dress code guidelines and be freshly laundered.
Very gently or never worn tennis shoes for gym class.
The older kids, in middle and high school especially, like to wear jeans, athletic pants, t-shirts and hoodies.
We especially need jeans for boys and girls in the small sizes 5,6,7,8,10,12,14 (no slims needed, we have tons).

Where do I donate items that fit the guidelines?

We have a secure donation box on our porch at 6 South D Street in Hamilton. We are on the SE corner of Main Street and D Street with our porch on the D Street side of the building. Please do not stack donations on the porch, they will be stolen immediately or thrown all over the porch by vandals. If you have a donation that you feel won't fit in the donation box, please message us to make other plans.

What items can we NOT accept?

We can not accept used underwear or socks, swimming clothes, pajamas, dressy clothing and shoes, adult work clothes, household items, toys, stuffed animals, elderly family members clothing, infant clothing or toddler clothing. We can not accept any clothing that is torn, stained, dirty or worn out.

What do I do with adult clothing that is inappropriate for kids or with toddler/infant clothing I want to donate?

You can find these organizations on Facebook for more information, or call them directly:
YWCA Dove House in Hamilton serves women
Serve City serves homeless in Hamilton
Haven House: homeless shelter in Hamilton
Broken Bus Ministry: serves homeless in Cincinnati & Dayton
Mary's Helping Hand: infant and toddler clothing, diapers
Hope's Closet: infant/toddler clothing, pajamas, serve foster children
Various churches in Hamilton have clothing pantries
Matthew 25 Ministries box at the corner of Eaton Ave and Main Street in the old Chaco parking lot

Please do not drop items at the Caring Closet that we cannot use. Take them to an organization that can use them. Doing this allows the Caring Closet volunteers the ability to focus on preparing for the new school year rather than disposing of items we cannot use.

05/27/2026

Thank you to the Ohio School Boards Association for recognizing the work the Caring Closet does in helping support the students of the Hamilton City School District. Also recognized: Richard’s Pizza and Living Waters Ministry. Congratulations to all!

05/23/2026

Shout out to the Success Program’s Hamilton liaisons who are absolute heroes! These are the people that meet with HCSD families in need to connect them with available resources, including the Caring Closet. Their hearts are giant and their commitment to serving our community is unfailing. What a year they have navigated marked with higher needs and fewer resources. Thank you for serving our community with such compassion and care. ❤️❤️❤️

04/27/2026

The Caring Closet's annual fundraiser is Witches' Night Out. Save the date Saturday, October 17, 2026 and join us in supporting the Caring Closet kids!

Happy Friday, Witches! We hope you are able to get outside this weekend to enjoy the beautiful weather.

✨✨Save the Date✨✨
Witches’ Night Out 2026 will be held at Spooky Nook Champion Mill on Saturday, October 17, 2026. We look forward to celebrating with you all again! More details and ticket information will be announced later this summer.

This event benefits The Caring Closet so they may continue to provide clothing and personal hygiene products to Hamilton City School students in need in grades K-12.

04/17/2026

Look who stopped by the Caring Closet this morning! If you live in Hamilton, you recognize Vicki who is involved in nearly every 17 Strong event through out the year!
For her recent birthday, she asked her friends to donate items to the Caring Closet rather than giving her gifts and today she brought it all to us. Thank you Vicki for your giant heart and for being such a long time supporter of the Caring Closet kids!

03/14/2026

Thank you to the Masons from Washington Lodge #17 for collecting and donating these much needed items to the Caring Closet kids. They brought new packs of underwear, lots of 2n1 shampoo/conditioner, piles of new jeans and bags for us to send the items out to Hamilton City School District students in need. They also made a very generous monetary donation. Special thanks to Jason and Kenneth for delivering it all. We cannot do what we do without the support of people like you!

03/12/2026

Thank you Hamilton Classroom Teachers Association for their constant support and thank you TVHamilton for letting the world know about their generosity!

03/06/2026

HUGE thank you to the Hamilton Classroom Teachers Association for this generous donation of many packs of new underwear, toiletries and feminine hygiene products! Each year, they do the Bare Necessities drive throughout the month of February, collecting items to donate to the Caring Closet kids. Special thanks to Katie for coordinating again this year and to the HCTA board members for delivering it all. We cannot do what we do without the support of all of you!

02/12/2026

Huge thanks today to one of our long-time volunteers for hand-making and donating these fun bags for the Caring Closet kids. We are packing the items requested into these bags and sending them out to our HCSD students in need. Thank you Sophie! We cannot do what we do without the support of people like you! ❤️

02/05/2026

Thank you to Fitton YMCA members for donating this mountain of warm hats on this frigid morning for the Caring Closet kids! Special thanks to the Christian Mission Group for coordinating this collection and to LaDana for delivering it. We cannot do what we do without all of you!