USD 383 Fit Closet supplies clothing, school basics to families in transition

Jenna Bu, facilitator for the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Fit Closet, outlined the program’s services and volunteer needs during a presentation at the Lincoln Education Center. "The FIT in Fit Closet stands for families in transition," Bu said, explaining the program serves students and families experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.

Bu said the Fit Closet provides essential items — clothing, school supplies, linens, shoes and coats — to help students feel confident and to reduce barriers to equal participation in school. "Students are our main focus, and so that is ages 3 to 18," she said, noting the closet stocks sizes from 2T through extended adult sizes.

The Fit Closet operates by appointment: families may shop once a month, and Bu said the program can "serve close to 250 families per month." She described common situations among recipients, including recent evictions, motel living and doubled-up housing arrangements, and emphasized that some families arrive without any clothing after a housing loss.

Volunteers are central to operations. Bu said the Fit Closet has "roughly 40 volunteers who work with us on a weekly basis," and that volunteers sort donations, launder items when needed, hang and display clothing, and assist shoppers during appointments. Several volunteers speak multiple languages, Bu added, which helps serve the district’s multilingual families.

Bu said young boys’ and young men’s clothing and shoes are the most frequently requested and the least frequently donated items. She invited community members to tour the Fit Closet, volunteer, or provide financial donations. Bu provided a mailing address at the Lincoln Education Center for checks and an email contact: fitcloset@USD383.org.

The presentation served as an informational overview and a recruitment appeal; Bu encouraged interested community members to reach out to the Fit Closet to support its weekly operations and monthly shopping appointments.