Program Overview
Who They Are
WNY Foster Closet was born in 2018 when three fellow foster moms began collecting clothing from their homes to share with other foster families. Together with over 20 years of cumulative fostering experience, they understood the reality: too often, children arrive in care with nothing that belongs to them. They set out to change that.
Now operating from their location in Blasdell, WNY Foster Closet provides a free retail-style shopping experience for foster, kinship, and 1017 families across all of Western New York. With racks of organized clothing, shoes, hygiene products, baby gear, and even a Birthday Room where foster children can choose a gift on their special day — WNY Foster Closet delivers dignity alongside every item.
WNY Foster Closet — Free essentials for foster & kinship families across WNY
Programs & Services
How They Help
WNY Foster Closet provides a dignified, retail-style shopping experience — completely free of charge — for foster, kinship, and 1017 families across Western New York. Families shop organized racks of new and gently used clothing (preemie to adult 3X), shoes, coats, hygiene products, baby gear, blankets, and more. Please bring placement or court papers and photo ID to shop.
Every foster child deserves to feel celebrated on their birthday. WNY Foster Closet's Birthday Room — funded by donations in memory of Sandra Crocker and sponsored by Dolce Panepinto Law Firm — lets foster children choose any one toy or gift card when they come in during their birthday month. It's a small gesture with enormous meaning.
WNY Foster Closet maintains a dedicated supply of diapers, wipes, formula, car seats, strollers, pack-and-plays, and infant essentials for foster families with newborns and infants. Because babies in foster care deserve every comfort — and foster parents need community support from day one of every placement.
WNY Foster Closet accepts new or excellent-condition donations of clothing, footwear, hygiene items, baby gear, blankets, and toys throughout the year. Community members can drop off donations during open hours, and volunteers are always needed to sort, hang, and organize items so families have a genuine retail-quality experience when they shop.
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Connect With the Team
Hours & Location
Blasdell Location
3701 McKinley Pkwy, Blasdell, NY 14219
wnyfostercloset.com Facebook: WNY Foster ClosetGet Involved
Ways to Support
WNY Foster Closet runs entirely on community donations and volunteer hearts. You can donate new or excellent-condition clothing, shoes, diapers, baby gear, and hygiene products during open hours. You can volunteer your time to sort, organize, and serve families. Or you can give financially to help fund the Birthday Room and keep the closet stocked year-round.
Visit wnyfostercloset.com to learn more, or email wnyfostercloset@gmail.com to get connected. Open Wednesdays 4–6pm, Saturdays 9am–2pm, and by appointment.
Connect With WNY Foster Closet
Learn more about donating, volunteering, and the free shopping experience for foster families across Western New York.
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