On any given day in the United States, more than 430,000 kids wake up in foster homes. Here in Wisconsin, the Department of Children and Families has placed roughly 6,800 children in out of home care.
Those numbers can be overwhelming when you think about all the resources required to feed, clothe, comfort, educate, counsel, medically treat and entertain those small, scared, confused young people.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help.
I’ve written before about how to become a CASA volunteer, a foster parent or a respite provider. You could also donate items like clothing, school supplies, backpacks, shoes, gift cards and money to your local county programs.
Locally, Lincoln’s Foster Closet is another way to help.
Lincoln’s Closet is a nonprofit organization that provides items to foster and kinship families who are referred by their social worker. These items include clothing, personal hygiene products, infant items, shoes, coats etc.
They are currently raising money to move into a permanent home in Appleton and are $1,500 short of their goal. You can donate through their account at Associated Bank or by mailing a check to Lincoln’s Foster Closet Inc P.O.Box 912 Kaukauna Wisconsin 54130. They hope to hit their target by September 1.
Beyond that very specific fundraiser, Lincoln’s Foster Closet is hosting an event at Thousand Island Nature Center on September 17. Money raised at this event will be used to supply items to families throughout the year and to provide Christmas presents to children in foster care.For more information about how you can help with either of these fundraiser, please contact Shana at 920-212-0034 or email lincolnsfostercloset@gmail.com. Lincoln’s Foster Closet is a 501(c)(3).
