By Courtney Elisech
SAGINAW – Minutes from Delta College’s Main Campus, students and staff can find help with food and other household items. Stop in at The Caring Closet on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6045 Mackinaw Road.
The Caring Closet provides food, clothing, coats and jackets, toys for children, books, bedding materials, household items, a warm meal, and more to those who need it. Volunteers work together to accept, sort, and redistribute donations prior to each giveaway.
The Community Christian Reformed Church brings The Caring Closet to the community with the help of a partnership with Growing Years Christian School.
When visiting, you must wait in line to enter the food distribution area inside the gym. Once you have signed in and indicated how many people you represent, you can collect 25-30 items varying on availability/donations. Many items are free in the gym and not counted toward the total amount you can receive.
Outside you can find the barn that houses clothes, coats, bedding, toys, and other items. There are signs posted indicating how many items you can collect in each category. If you find that you are unsure about an item or have questions, there are volunteers located all around to assist you.
Special events are held for different holidays. For instance, they do a Christmas giveaway to those in need that include toys and gifts for children of all ages. As well as a larger-scale food giveaway for Thanksgiving.
“The Caring Closet has helped our family out more than once,” Catherine Elisech said as she visited the most recent giveaway on Sept. 17. “The holiday events really make all the difference. Last Christmas, we received pillows and pillow covers for each person in our household, along with all the toys and presents for the kids.”
If you would like to donate to The Caring Closet or would like more information on giveaways or special events, contact (989) 792-2465.
