James Solarek, assistant pastor at Community Baptist Church in Edwardsburg, knows first hand the challenges of bringing foster children into a new home.

He and his wife were foster parents to four children several years ago when they lived in Virginia.

They know that any help a foster family can get is much appreciated.

With that in mind, Community Baptist Church, under the direction of member Amy Kniffin, has opened a clothing closet to aid foster families in getting started.

Many times foster children arrive at their new home with little to no clothing, shoes or other necessities. They are often removed at a moment’s notice and gathering up their things is not an option.

Others have their belongings thrown out due to lice or bedbugs in their previous homes.

Then there is the time between when a family takes in foster children and the first money is received from the government to cover the cost of caring for those children. Cass County children can wait up to six weeks before money arrives.

So to ease the burden on foster families, Community Baptist Church decided to do something about it.

Foster parents and county social workers can now come to the church and get new or gently used clothing, shoes, baby care items, toys, new underwear and socks from the closet, which opened its doors Dec. 13 during a Christmas party the church hosted for foster families.

“We were kind of looking for the next step as to how our church could help foster families,” Solarek said. “We started by connecting with local Department of Health and Human Services and asking them what they would need. So it started with just being a visit site so that foster kids could meet with their biological parents. They could come and have their visit here at the church. Amy organized a free babysitting night for foster parents and then they said they get donations and they would like to get more donations, but had no where to put them.”

They asked if the church would be interested in opening a closet.

Solarek and Kniffin jumped at the chance.

“We took that on and started filling it up and took donations so that when a child comes into care they are able to come to the church and get the clothes and supplies that they need,” Solarek said. “We have kind of been meeting with them and figuring out the best way to do that. It is our hope that the foster parent feels supported and continues to do the good work that they do.”

Solarek, who along with his wife adopted all four of the foster children, added that the church is raising money to provide a new playground for the children.

Kniffin understands that there is a tremendous need for these essentials when children are placed into foster care.

“Most of the stuff that they come with at least needs to be cleaned so that they are not spreading things into the foster home they are going to,” she said. “We want to be able to provide them with clean clothes that they can take to their new home that are theirs.”

Community Baptist Church is in need of more donations to keep the closet full and ready for the next foster family.

Clothing and shoes may be new or gently used and must be clean when they are donated. Items such as underwear and socks, or anything that may go into a child’s mouth must be in the original, unopened package.

Right now their greatest needs are for boys clothing sizes zero to 2T, along with new underwear and socks for both boys and girls of all sizes.

The church is also taking donations for its free babysitting night, which Kniffin said has been a success.

“The families that came last time were very thankful,” Kniffin said. “They were like, ‘We have not been out since last May.’ It is hard to find a babysitter when you have multiple children. And then you have to pay for a babysitter and for your night out. When we announced it during the Christmas party there was a lot of excitement and anticipation so we are excited to see that this next one is like. Hopefully more people will take advantage of it.”

To donate, clothing items or money, contact Community Baptist Church, located at 28647 U.S. 12 in Edwardsburg, at (269) 663-2648 Monday through Friday to set up a time to drop off those items.