Local Residents See Need For Foster Children In Community

When children are removed from their home and placed into a foster home, they generally only come with what they are wearing and adults who are bringing these children in don't always have the items needed to care for these children, leaving a void of toiletries, clothing and other necessary items for these children. To fill this need, Glasgow resident and photographer Jenn Calkin created Izzy's Closet in 2018, which provides a week's worth of clothing (if available) and any other necessities that are needed such as car seats and pack and plays to these families and children.

To assist foster children and Izzy's Closet, Nashua resident Cara Pinder hosted a fundraiser in June as part of her small business with Thirty-One. The event titled "Filling The Foster Closet" was inspired due to Pinder's friend in Havre who has foster children as well as a non-profit and watching the movie "Instant Family."

"The inspiration to do the fundraiser came from a few things. I wanted to do a fundraiser to make it an annual thing I do in my small business because we did one last year to raise funds to fence the Irle School playground and I didn't want to stop there. I wanted the funds to stay local," explained Pinder. "I chose the name and for the items to go to Izzy's Closet after hearing that these kids of all ages are removed from the only home they have ever known and usually with nothing in hand."

Her goal was to have 48 bags sponsored for $20 a piece and then use her commission check to purchase the items to fill the bags. Due to community and beyond support, her goal was exceeded.

"So many people were generous about donating that we were able to sponsor 48 bags and quite a few also wanted to help donate the items to fill the bags, so we were able to purchase an additional 24 larger totes with my commission because I didn't have to supply all of the items in the bags!," exclaimed Pinder.

A total of 24 bags for kids age four to 10 as well as 24 bags for kids age 11 to 18 were filled with necessary items by a team of volunteers, all of whom also contributed to the purchase of the bags and the items to fill the bags, on June 29 at Calkin's studio in Glasgow.

"Jenn stated they always get lots of donations for toddlers and babies so that is why I decided to start at age four," explained Pinder.

The bags for the four to 10 year olds were filled with sets of new socks and underwear, donated by Adam and Tory Marks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, donated by Amy Beck, as well as a flashlight and handmade stuffed animal, donated by Sid and Pat Rice.

The 24 bags for kids 11 to 18 were divided in half with bags intended for teen boys including items such as a flashlight, donated by the Rices, body wash and deodorant, donated by Will and Byrdie Larsen, as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste. The bags intended for teen girls included feminine products, donated by the Larsens, toiletries, donated by T. Marks, a toothbrush, donated by Pat Knieriem, toothpaste, donated by Beck, a flashlight, donated by the Rices, and a pair of Lularoe leggings, donated by Brandy Morehouse-Hooper.

In addition to the 48 sponsored bags and the 24 larger totes purchased with Pinder's commission benefiting children in Valley County, one dollar of every cinch sac purchased was donated to the Nationwide Children's Hospital. "We were able to keep our money and donations local but also donate to a bigger cause," said Pinder.

"The great thing about giving these [the bags] out is if that child moves homes or is reunified, they are able to have an actual bag to pack up their belongings instead of using garbage bags," said Calkin.

Upon finding out Pinder's successful fundraiser and the benefit to Izzy's Closet, Calkin admits she was blown away by the support of the community and Pinder's desire to help.

"Cara contacted me to ask what kiddos needed when they were placed. She told me her idea for the fundraiser but also mentioned that she had talked to a few other people as well. I didn't know right away that she was doing this for Izzy's Closet! When I finally realized, I was blown away! What really blew me away was the generosity, not only of our community, but others outside. I had close to $300 in sponsors from Instagram followers!," explained Calkin.

According to Pinder, 20 local individuals sponsored a bag as well as local businesses Hot Shots, in Glasgow, Busy Bee Embroidery, in Glasgow, two anonymous as well as six donations came from people who do not live in Valley County.

"Every time people go above and beyond it makes me a little emotional! Cara kept messaging me saying that things were being donated. It made my heart swell!" expressed Calkin.

In order to continue to assist foster children in the area and beyond, Izzy's Closet recently filed their 501c3 paperwork and is working on putting an Izzy's Closet in Malta and want to expand out into Scobey and Wolf Point.

"We are needing locations to house the Closets as well as someone to be able to be a contact person and pull items when needed. If anyone has ideas of a location, donated space or some rent is doable, please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the board members, Warren Calkin, Sarah Hitchcock, Danette Love (of Malta) or Alicia Olfert (of Lustre)," stated Calkin.

According to Calkin, the Izzy's Closet in Glasgow is a little overwhelmed with donations at this time, however new socks and underwear in their packaging is always needed and welcome. She welcomes anyone who wants to help, to volunteer their time by going through clothes and packaging as that's quite the task and help is always welcome.

For more information on Izzy's Closet, visit @miaandizzy on Facebook.