Q. What is your mission statement?
A. The Compassion Closet exists to provide quick-turn assistance to foster, kinship, adoptive, and other families in all parts of East Tennessee.
Q. What is the organizational structure of Compassion Closet?
A. Compassion Closet is a 501c3 organization as recognized by IRS. We are incorporated in the state of Tennessee and are governed by our board of directors.
Q. Who qualifies for assistance?
A. Compassion Closet serves the following:
- Foster families
- Kinship Families
- Adoptive Families
- Aging-out Youth
- Youth in Residential Facilities.
- Case-by-case reviews can be made to determine if help is available to others who may not fit into these categories. Please contact our Executive Director (info@compassioncloset.com) with questions.
Q. I just got a placement! What’s the quickest way to get ahold of you?
A. Email is the quickest way to get ahold of us. Use the contact page to see all of the director’s email addresses for our different locations.
Q. When can I drop off items at one of your locations?
A. Because we are completely managed by volunteers, our hours vary. Please check the updated drop-off and pick-up times on the Hours tab from the main menu.
Q. What type of items do you need?
A. We are looking to provide families with anything they might need to care for infants through teens. This might involve clothing, furniture, car seats, hygiene supplies, books, games, and more. You can view the most updated list of our current needs here or through social media.
Q. What type of donations do you NOT accept?
A. It is our desire to provide the absolute best for the children we serve! We believe that the items we provide do more than just meet a tangible need, but send a message of Christ’s love and the value each child holds. This is the main reason we request and try to only keep items in new or gently used condition. Additionally, health and hygiene are also things we consider when processing donations to keep at our Closets.
Some items that we consistently DO NOT keep are:
- Used underwear
- Used socks
- Used stuffed animals
- Used mattresses (aside from wipeable crib mattresses)
- Expired car seats
- Broken, damaged, dirty items or anything in need of repair
- Clothing/shoes with holes, stains, or signs of excessive wear
- Any items missing parts
- Home goods
- Anything that smells of smoke or mildew or has visible pet hair
Q. What happens to donations that you don’t use?
A. Items donated that Compassion Closet cannot use are taken to KARM. Compassion Closet receives credit for donations made to KARM with us listed as the partner. Gift cards for KARM stores are received each quarter and used to purchase items the closets are low on or given to families to purchase items that the closets may not have.
Q. Can I make a financial donation?
A. Compassion Closet is 100% donor funded. We greatly appreciate any donations. You can give online using the Donate button in the menu. You can also mail a check to our Farragut address (11020 Kingston Pike, Suite 270, Knoxville, TN 37934). Please make the check payable to Compassion Closet.
Q. My business/church/school/organization would like to help. What opportunities are available?
A. The following are a few favorite options:
- Sorting Events – we love to have groups come to help sort donations.
- Host a donation barrel – donation barrels are available for hosting. These are used to collect new packs of underwear, socks, diapers, wipes, school supplies, and clothing. These are available to be hosted throughout the year. Please contact a location director for more information regarding hosting a barrel.
- Host-a-Tree program – During the holiday season, we offer a Host-A-Tree program. Very similar to the angel tree concept, we have a packet of ornaments that you hang on a Christmas tree. Individuals can choose an ornament and either purchase the item or donate funds to purchase the item. For more information on this program, please contact julie@compassioncloset.com.