Stacey’s Closet, named in memory of the National Council of Jewish Women of Greater Kansas City’s (NCJW) member Stacey Bell, was created three years ago with the objective of providing elementary school children with essentials (clothing, shoes, coats, etc.) throughout the school year.
According to NCJW staff, a parent of a recipient of Stacey’s Closet’s services (who wished to remain anonymous) said, “I just came from being homeless. I lost everything. These clothes will help me a lot, because we came from having nothing to starting all over again.”
In the fall semester of 2023, Stacey’s Closet assisted 186 children, which is a 300% increase from the fall of 2022. The organization added two new schools this year (totaling eight area schools) in response to the increase in need. NCJW staff are confident in the organization's members and the community for help in supporting area children.
“Stacey’s Closet has been such a huge support for our school community,” said Rachel Pollock, a school social worker at Grant Elementary School. “... [It] meets a very practical need, has helped many of our students come to school, has decreased absenteeism and has strengthened connections for families to feel supported by our school.”
Support for Stacey’s Closet can be made through membership in NCJW or financial contribution via kansascity.section.ncjw.org or by mailing a check to NCJW at 5311 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS 66208.
More information is available by emailing or calling (913) 648-0747.
