Foster Closet programs play a vital role in supporting children in foster care. More than 343,000 children are currently in foster care in the U.S., according to the most recent data from the Children’s Bureau. These children were pulled from their homes, their schools, their routines and placed into the unknown. And while foster families often open their doors with love and open arms, many kids arrive with nothing. Literally nothing.
No toothbrush. No stuffed animal. No clothes that fit. It’s heartbreaking. But also? It’s fixable.
At The Village NJ, we believe in solving real problems with simple, practical care. The kind that makes a child feel safe, wanted and seen, from the minute they walk through the door.
Here’s a look at the five things every foster child needs when they arrive and what you can do to help.
1. Clothing That Fits And Feels Like Theirs
Kids in foster care often arrive with only the clothes on their backs. Sometimes, not even that.
Having access to clean, properly fitting clothes isn’t just about warmth or modesty. It’s about dignity. About identity. And about helping a child feel a little more in control during a time when everything else feels like chaos.
At The Village Foster Closet, we stock everyday clothes for infants to teens, including shoes, pajamas, socks and even special occasion outfits. All donated by people in the community. People like you.
Tip: Donate new or gently used items that reflect current trends. Foster youth want to feel like their peers, not like a charity case.
2. Essential Hygiene Supplies
Imagine being a kid and having to ask a stranger for deodorant. Or pads. Or a toothbrush.
Kids entering foster care rarely have their own hygiene items. And while these may seem small, they’re incredibly personal. Having their own shampoo or lip balm, even if it’s just Dollar Store brand, can help restore a sense of normalcy.
The Village in NJ builds hygiene kits customized by age and gender. From baby wipes to body wash, we make sure every child leaves with what they need to feel fresh, clean and cared for.
Tip: Travel-size products are great, but full-size items make a longer impact, especially in larger sibling groups.
3. Comfort Items That Say “You Matter”
This one gets overlooked, but it’s powerful.
When a child walks into a new home, they’re stepping into a stranger’s world. Something as simple as a favorite-colored blanket or a stuffed animal to hold at night can make all the difference.
We make sure The Village Foster Children receive comfort items they can call their own. Blankets, loveys, journals, backpacks, tiny tokens of reassurance they don’t have to share.
Tip: Donate new items only for this category. Used stuffies and blankets, while well-meant, aren’t ideal for kids going through trauma.
4. School Supplies and Backpacks
If a child enters care mid-year, chances are they’re missing critical school supplies. They may not even have a bag to carry their things in.
And trust us, no kid wants to show up to school with their belongings in a trash bag.
At The Village NJ, we keep stocked backpacks on hand year-round. And every summer, we run a big back-to-school drive to make sure kids have pencils, notebooks, lunchboxes and whatever else their teachers require.
Tip: Include ear buds, calculators, or water bottles in your school supply donations. These are often skipped, but frequently requested.
5. Age-Appropriate Gear (Car Seats, Cribs, Diapers)
This one’s big. Because when a newborn or toddler enters foster care, their needs multiply instantly.
Many foster parents get a call and say “yes” before they even know what age child they’re receiving. That means the family might not have a car seat, a crib, a stroller, or any diapers on hand.
Thanks to donations and funding, The Village Foster Closet provides these big-ticket items, too. All at no cost.
Tip: Consider donating gift cards for stores like Target or Walmart. When an urgent need comes up, say, a last-minute formula change, we can act fast.
How You Can Help, Right Now
Whether you’re in Village Monmouth County, Village Ocean County, or anywhere nearby, there’s something you can do today. Donate. Volunteer. Host a drive. Share this post.
Every time you give, you make it easier for a child to feel safe on one of the hardest days of their life.
Final Thoughts
Foster care isn’t clean and convenient. It’s messy, urgent and emotional. But it’s also filled with opportunity, your opportunity to help.
Through The Village, we’ve served hundreds of kids in New Jersey and we’re just getting started. If you’ve been wondering how to support foster families in a real, meaningful way, this is it.
Give comfort. Give confidence. Give care.
Because no child should feel forgotten and no foster parent should face it all alone.
