Medfield's Kids' Closet Collecting Clothes for Families in Need

It’s back to school time for the children of Medfield and with the creation of the Kids’ Closet; some of the town’s youth will be able to supplement their wardrobes as a result of the community’s generosity.

For the next two weeks, Sept. 6-20, Medfield residents will have an opportunity to donate gently used clothing to the Kids’ Closet.  Fall and winter clothing is preferred at this time and the items donated must be in “good” or “better” condition. 

All clothing in sizes 4-18, both boys and girls, must be washed and in wearable condition; no rips, no stains, no missing buttons or broken zippers. Personal items such as socks and underwear are not needed. Boys and girls shoes, in wearable condition, are also being requested, but no sneakers unless they are “lightly” worn.

This program piloted last spring and Medfield resident and creator, Lisa Dolan, said the “response was amazing and the quality of the clothing donated was incredible.” 

After becoming involved with the Medfield Angels Neighborhood Brigade, Dolan signed up to sponsor a child for his eighth birthday and when she saw the child wanted clothing, she was struck with the idea to create Kids’ Closet. 

For many years, Dolan passed along her own children’s outgrown clothes to neighbors, friends and relatives, so she decided to expand on the idea with this program. She and her friend, Lauri Selib, brought the idea to Beth Eby, president of the , because of the confidentiality of the clothing recipients. The Food Cupboard board agreed to allow Kids’ Closet to have a one-night event for the Food Cupboard families.

A collection bin has been set up at , centrally located on Rte. 27. Dolan's hope is most items donated now will be fall and winter items and if all goes well, Kids’ Closet will continue with seasonal collections, and then hold both a fall/winter and a spring event.

Last spring, all leftover clothing items were given away. Some went to the Cradles to Crayons program and others were donated to the St. Vincent dePaul clothing collection. Dolan said “nothing was kept” and every item donated went to good use.

If you have items to donate, bag them and drop them off in the container marked “Kids’ Closet” located in the hallway between the church and gymnasium at St. Edward’s. Your donation will be greatly appreciated. For more information about Kids’ Closet, contact Lisa Dolan at ltdolan@verizon.net or (508) 242-9522.