JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jennifer Smith, a former Duval County Public Schools teacher, started The Giving Closet Project in 2016 to help children in need. Now her non-profit is looking for help, hoping someone will step forward to donate warehouse space.
“Time is of the essence. So basically, we have about a one-week turnaround to find a home for everything,” Smith said.
Boxes full of clothes, shoes and other donations fill rows inside a Jacksonville warehouse that Ashley HomeStore has allowed them to use, but next week Smith says her organization has to relocate everything.
“They were gracious enough to let us come in and actually borrow some of their space. Well, Ashley HomeStore is growing. They are getting ready to open a brand-new distribution center in Thomasville, Georgia,” Smith explained. “This isn't the end for us, but we do need to find a new home, so we can continue bringing in shipments and having volunteers come out to sort through and process inventory so we can keep our stock sites and make sure that our services are able to keep going.”
The warehouse space is needed to store shipments The Giving Closet Project receives that teams of volunteers will sort through so the clothes can be distributed to different locations. Smith says her organization helps thousands of students each year.
“We're relieving a barrier for them. You know, why aren't kids coming to school? They don't have uniforms. They don't have clothes that fit. They don't have clean clothes. They're tired of being bullied. So, we are stepping in to support our schools and social service agencies,” Smith said.
If they don't find someone to donate seven to ten thousand square feet of warehouse space soon, she’s not sure what they will do.
“Unfortunately, we might have to kind of close our doors for a little bit and figure out next steps,” Smith said. “I'm giving it to God. Honestly, I know that a door will open. I don't know what door that will be. But at the same time, we have to figure something out so we can continue to serve our community and our schools.”
If you have warehouse space you would like to donate, you can email Jennifer Smith at jennifer@givingclosetproject.org or visiting their website.