Wisconsin Foster Closet, Inc.

09/07/2026

Does anyone have any rolling clothes racks they want to get rid of or borrow to us? We are also looking for volunteers for Sunday September 20th at 1pm lill whenever you can at Hobbs ice Arena for the here we grow again sale. They graciously donate so much beautiful clothing to our closet each year so we help sort and tear down.

09/07/2026

💙 Donor Impact Story: The Gift That Kept Our Doors Open 💙

Today, we want to share a donor impact story that happened a few months ago—one that we will never forget.

There was a moment when the Wisconsin Foster Closet was at one of our lowest points.

We were worried.

Could we keep our doors open? Could we make rent? Pay the utilities? Purchase unmet needs? Cover printing and all of the other expenses that come with keeping this organization running?

Everything we provide to foster and kinship families is free, and our organization is volunteer-run—but keeping our doors open is not free.

And then, when we needed it most, a guardian angel walked through our lives.

One incredibly generous donor chose to give a portion of her pension to the Wisconsin Foster Closet—more than $16,000.

That one gift gave us approximately eight months of security.

Eight months of rent.
Eight months of utilities and operating expenses.
Eight months of keeping our doors open.
Eight months of being able to say “Yes, we can help.”

But the true impact of her donation isn't measured in dollars.

It's measured in the hundreds of children who have walked through our doors during that time.

It's measured in suitcases filled with clothing, new socks and underwear, hygiene supplies, shoes, winter coats, school supplies, blankets, and the little extras that remind a child that somebody cares.

Our donor never asked for recognition. In fact, she would probably prefer that we didn't give her any.

So we will respect her privacy while still shouting our gratitude from the rooftops.

You know who you are.

When we were afraid we might have to close our doors, you helped keep them open.

Your generosity didn't simply help an organization pay its bills.

You gave us eight more months to serve children.
Eight more months to support families.
Eight more months to continue this mission.

There will never be enough words to adequately express what your gift meant to us and to the hundreds of children and families it has touched.

From every volunteer, every family, and every child who has been helped because those doors remained open:

Thank you, our anonymous guardian angel. 💙

Your gift changed more lives than you may ever know.

09/06/2026

💙 Behind Every Donation Is an Amazing Volunteer 💙

Behind the racks of clothing, the school supplies, the hygiene products, the Christmas gifts, the suitcases, and every child who walks out our doors with the things they need—there is an incredible group of people working behind the scenes.

Our volunteers.

They continuously give their time, love, energy, and hearts to this mission.

They sort mountains of clothing. They organize shelves. They pack bags. They clean. They shop. They pick up donations. They go out into our community. They help families find what they need. Sometimes they arrive to volunteer with donations of their own—and so often, they do things no one outside these walls will ever see.

There are no paychecks waiting for them.

They simply show up because children in foster and kinship care matter to them.

The truth is simple: without our volunteers, the Wisconsin Foster Closet would not exist.

To every person who has given us an hour, an afternoon, a weekend, or countless days over the years:

We see you.
We appreciate you.
We value you.
We respect you.
And we are more grateful for you than words could ever express.

You aren't just helping at the Foster Closet.

You are part of the heart that keeps it beating. 💙

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

Alot of shifts and changes happening here at the closet. We know you need support too. So starting September 30 we will be starting up our foster and kinship support group. We have changed it to the last Wednesday of the month so we have better coverage for our team. Join us at noon for lunch and support. Along this journey we will be a safe place to talk, share ideas, goals, laugh, maybe cry. This is your space. We will have activities at times as well. We would love sponsors to host a meal for these amazing families. Doesn't have to be a 4 course meal. Simple is great. Alot of these parents just appreciate being being able to sit and eat a meal that is warm and they dont have to get up every minute. Please reach out with any questions.

09/04/2026

Most needed item of the week!¡

Black sharpies. We could really use them to complete school boxes to have some on hand as kids come into care. Thank you!!!

09/03/2026

💙 Kinship Families Matter Too 💙

Imagine being a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or other relative—and suddenly getting the call that a child you love needs a safe place to stay.

There may be no time to prepare.

Suddenly, you need a bed, clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene products, diapers, winter gear, and all the everyday things that come with raising a child.

But these families need more than things.

They need support, understanding, encouragement, and a community that reminds them they aren't doing this alone.

Kinship caregivers step up during some of the most difficult moments in a child's life. Their homes may change overnight. Their finances, schedules, relationships, and even retirement plans can change in an instant—all because they said yes to keeping a child they love safe and connected to family.

At the Wisconsin Foster Closet, we are grateful to support our kinship families, too.

We can help with clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene necessities, and other items to make those first days and weeks a little easier.

But we also want to provide something that can't be put into a bag: connection.

During the school year, we offer our support group on the last Thursday of each month, giving foster and kinship caregivers an opportunity to connect with people who understand some of the unique joys and challenges of caring for children.

To every grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, relative, and kinship caregiver who stepped up when a child needed you—we see you, we appreciate you, and you matter too. 💙

Sometimes it really does take a village. We're grateful to be part of yours.

09/03/2026

We’re Growing Our Board!

The Wisconsin Foster Closet is currently looking to fill 2–3 positions on our Board of Directors, and we would love to connect with people who are passionate about making a difference for children and families in our community.

We are a working board, which means our board members are actively involved in both the decisions we make and the work that keeps our organization moving forward.

We ask our board members to:

• Donate a minimum of 4 hours per month volunteering at the Foster Closet
• Attend board meetings and actively participate in decisions that guide our organization
• Assist with events, projects, fundraising, outreach, and other needs whenever possible
• Bring their ideas, talents, experience, and heart for helping others to our mission

You don't have to have nonprofit or board experience. What matters most is that you are dependable, willing to be involved, and genuinely want to help us continue supporting foster, kinship, and other families caring for children throughout Wisconsin.

If you've been looking for a meaningful way to donate your time and talents to a worthy cause, we would love the opportunity to sit down with you, answer your questions, and tell you more about what being part of our board looks like.

Interested? Please feel free to email or call me. We'd love to talk with you and see if the Wisconsin Foster Closet might be the right place for you to make a difference.

[email protected]
715-330-3303

It takes a community—and maybe you're the next person meant to be part of ours.

09/03/2026

Good morning. It’s 5:30 a.m., and we’ve been awake for most of the night.

But during this last hour, I had the privilege of speaking with a former foster youth. We will be keeping her identity anonymous, but she has agreed to share her story with us in the future—and I am incredibly grateful that she trusts us enough to do so.

At the Wisconsin Foster Closet, we believe there is so much power in listening to the people who have actually lived these experiences.

Former and current foster youth. Foster and kinship families. Social workers. Families who have walked through our doors. Every perspective matters.

When people are willing to share their stories, they do more than bring awareness to the realities of foster care. They can help others feel less alone. They can show us where more support is needed. They can help identify changes that need to happen within the system. And they can help organizations like ours better understand what we can do to serve children and families moving forward.

We often say that we are here 24/7.

That doesn’t mean we will always answer every text or every phone call in the middle of the night. We are human, and sometimes we simply can’t. But we do try.

And this morning, I am especially grateful that I answered.

I only heard a glimpse of this young woman’s story, but even that small glimpse was powerful. She has lived experience, wisdom, and insight that I believe can help so many others.

Whenever she is ready, and in whatever way she feels comfortable sharing it, we will be honored to give her a safe place to tell her story.

Sometimes blessings come at unexpected times.

Today, mine came around 4:30 in the morning.

Thank you for trusting us with your story. We’re listening.

09/02/2026

Another Amazing Resource in Our Community!

Hey everybody! We just dropped off a load of donations to the Caring Closet, located inside the New Life Church of the Nazarene, on the corner of 8th Street and 10th Avenue in Menomonie.

If you haven't heard about the Caring Closet yet, they are an AMAZING community resource!

Much like the Wisconsin Foster Closet, they provide clothing 100% FREE to families who need it. There are no income requirements or qualifications—you can simply come in and pick out the clothing your family needs.

They are also completely volunteer-run, and donated items are given directly back to the community rather than being resold. That's one of the reasons we're so happy to partner with and support them!

Right now, they are especially in need of:
🧦 Socks
🩲 Underwear
🛏️ Blankets
👕 Children's clothing sizes 7–14, especially boys

So, if you have donations that aren't currently needed at the Wisconsin Foster Closet—or clothing for other age groups—the Caring Closet is another wonderful place to give and know your donations are going directly to people who need them.

Their regular hours include the first Wednesday of the month from 5–7 PM and the first Saturday of the month. Please double-check their Saturday hours before heading over, as I don't want to give you the wrong time.

We truly believe nonprofits and community organizations are stronger when we work TOGETHER. There is enough need in our communities for all of us to support one another, share resources, and make sure families know where they can turn for help.

Thank you, Caring Closet, for everything you do!