The Shelter Alliance's Shelter Closet: How We Help Those In Need

The Shelter Closet has provided free shopping to more than 134 unhoused men, women and children since the doors opened on  January 8, 2025. At the Shelter Closet our unhoused individuals and shoppers have benefited from the generous donations of clothing, blankets, bedding, towels, hygiene products, shoes, suitcases, and backpacks, all thanks to very generous donations from individuals, organizations, and  businesses in our community.  And, The Closet’s dedicated volunteers, who have donated over 1,300 hours of their time to provide a confidential and welcoming experience.

During the last one and a half years, The Shelter Closet has slid into what we have found is the “Circle of Giving” within our community and beyond coordinating with a broad range of groups and agencies.  The Closet has donated clothes to the A.F Whittsitt Center, Garnet Elementary School families, the Complete Wellness Addiction Center, Kenah One Health Care Services, blankets to Blessing Bags, and towels and hygiene products to Grace Community Church Shower Ministry. Recently 2 baby cribs and clothes were donated to the Cecil Pregnancy & Family Resource Center.

Community Outreach has given The Shelter Alliance the opportunity to spread the word of our mission to community groups and events at Garnet Elementary School; Arts in the Garden (the Closet helped collect and stored 300 lbs. of plastic lids to be recycled into a bench), Multi-Language Event, and upcoming Back to School Bash.     

The Shelter Closet is in the Kent Plaza Shopping Center (next to Dollar General). Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-2pm. For shoppers, suggested donations are $15 a Bag, $10 half a Bag and $5 less than half a Bag. The Closet accepts clothing donations during open hours at the front door.

The Shelter Closet welcomes volunteers including College student Interns and High School students who are fulfilling Community Services hours needed for graduation.  You choose the day and time you want to volunteer.   No experience needed; just put clothes on a hanger and hang on a rack.  No need to worry about operating a cash register, donations go in a plastic dog biscuit jar. And, meet Jackson, our Supervisor of Operations.

To our Community and beyond, THANK YOU.  Because of your generosity, the Shelter Alliance’s Shelter Closet is a part of the “Circle of Giving”.

To learn more about The Shelter Alliance go to www.shelteralliancemd.org. To make a donation go to www.shelteralliancemd.org/supportus or provide a check payable to “Mid-Shore Community Foundation” with “Shelter Alliance” in the memo line. Mail your check to The Shelter Alliance, P.O. Box 2, Chestertown, MD 21620.