A Service for Families in Need
How to Donate & Support | About Center St Closet | Shopping at Center St Closet
The Center Street Closet is a physical “store,” located within the Community UMC building, which provides clothing and other essential items, at no cost, to families and individuals in need. Center Street Closet was built with the time and talents of Community UMC, and the larger Naperville community.
How to Donate & Support
Continued support is needed for the ongoing operation of Center Street Closet. There are a number of ways in which you can get involved, and support our efforts, including:
- Supporting the Center Street Closet with financial donations by clicking here.
- Donating new or gently-used clothing and other items – a list of accepted donations is below.
- Purchasing new clothing and other items from the Closet’s Amazon wish list.
- Volunteering your time to sort clothes and/or staff the Closet by emailing centerstcloset@onecumc.net.
- Spreading the word! If you know others who would like to donate or volunteer, share this web page with them. And, if you know families or individuals who would benefit from being able to shop at the Closet, share our “Shop the Center Street Closet” web page with them.
Donation Items Which We Accept
All donation items should be freshly laundered and free from stains and holes.
- New/gently-used clothing in all sizes, including winter items such as jackets and snow pants
- New underwear
- New socks
- New/like-new shoes
- Unopened packages of diapers
- Unopened packages of baby wipes
- Small suitcases/luggage in good condition
- Backpacks and duffle bags in good condition
- New toiletries: baby wash, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.
Items Which We Cannot Accept
- Used underwear or socks
- Cleats or sports equipment
- Clothing/jackets with holes, stains, or obvious wear
- Costumes
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Stuffed animals
- Linens
- Used car seats
Donations can be dropped off at Community United Methodist Church during regular office hours (Monday – Thursday, 9am to 2pm) and on Sundays between 8:30pm and noon. Arrangements for dropping off donations can also be made by emailing us at centerstcloset@onecumc.net.
Donations to the Center Street Closet are tax-deductible. Please request a receipt if needed
About Center St Closet
In November of 2023, a member of Community UMC, Luis Tipantasig-Wolverton, was looking for a local “foster closet” for donating some clothing items his children had outgrown. When he discovered that there was not such a program in the Naperville area, an idea for a new ministry for the church began to take shape.
In the following months, Community UMC dedicated space (a former Sunday school classroom), and the 2023 Christmas Eve offering, to what became Center Street Closet. A youth member of Community UMC, William Zigterman led the transformation of the classroom into the Closet, organizing church members and fellow Scouts to clean, paint, and repair the room, and install fixtures.
Since the opening of the Center Street Closet, the idea and mission has grown, and it has now become a resource for not just families with foster children, but for all individuals and families in need in the Naperville area.
How to Shop at Center Street Closet
The Center Street Closet is available to any individual or family living in the Naperville area who is in need. If you or your family would benefit from the Closet, you can visit this web page to learn more about shopping.
If you know an individual or family in the Naperville area who would benefit from shopping at the Closet, please share the “Shop the Center Street Closet” web page with them!