By Samantha Mitchell —
MUNCIE, IN —What began as a simple idea born from personal experience in Lafayette has grown into a thriving resource for foster families across Indiana.
The Foster Closet, founded by Billy and Mandy Holden through Innovation Church in Lafayette, celebrated the grand opening of its second location in Muncie on June 7, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s five-year journey of serving children and families involved in foster care. The new Muncie location is housed at Illuminate Muncie Foursquare, 3101 S. Walnut St., Muncie, IN 47302. The original Lafayette location operates at River City Church, 108 Beck Ln., Lafayette, IN 47909.
The idea for The Foster Closet was sparked when the Holdens became foster parents themselves. Like many foster families, they quickly discovered how overwhelming and expensive it can be to prepare for a child arriving in their home with little notice. Furnishing bedrooms, purchasing clothing, gathering toiletries, and securing basic necessities often created additional stress during an already emotional transition.
As friends, family members, and community supporters donated items to help their family, Mandy Holden recognized a larger need. What if there was a place where every foster family could access those essentials free of charge?
That vision became The Foster Closet.
Opening in Lafayette in 2021, The Foster Closet was created to provide foster parents, kinship caregivers, and children entering care with clothing, shoes, hygiene products, bedding, toys, baby equipment, and other necessities at no cost. What started as a local ministry quickly grew into a trusted community resource serving families throughout the region.
“From the very beginning, our goal was to remove barriers for families who say ‘yes’ to caring for children,” said founder Mandy Holden. “When children enter foster care, they often arrive with very little. We wanted families to know they wouldn’t have to face those needs alone.”
Over the past five years, The Foster Closet at Innovation Church has helped hundreds of children and caregivers by providing essential items, supporting emergency placements, and building a network of community partners committed to strengthening foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Now, with the opening of the Muncie location, that mission is expanding to serve even more families throughout East Central Indiana.
The June 7 grand opening brought together foster families, community leaders, volunteers, donors, and local supporters to celebrate the organization’s newest chapter. Guests enjoyed live music, local vendors, food, family activities, and opportunities to learn more about the services available through the Foster Closet.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere reflected the strong sense of community that has fueled the organization’s growth from Lafayette to Muncie. Supporters, partners, and families gathered not only to celebrate the opening of a new location, but also the impact the Foster Closet has made in the lives of children and caregivers over the past five years.
The Foster Closet extends heartfelt gratitude to its staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners whose dedication made the expansion possible. Special thanks go to Carl Bentley Band, The Food Vault, Cheesecake-N-Motion LLC, AddiLine’s, The Borrow Bar, Sowing A Seed, Pretty Little Cafe, and Leedoms Loaves & More for helping make the grand opening a success.
The organization also recognizes The Foster Closet at Innovation for its years of guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this journey.
While the opening of the Muncie location is a major milestone, leaders say it represents the beginning of a new chapter rather than a finish line.
“Five years ago, this mission started in Lafayette with a desire to help foster families feel supported and equipped,” said Holden. “Today, because of an incredible community of donors, volunteers, churches, businesses, and advocates, we’re able to extend that support to even more children and families. We’re excited to see what the future holds.”
As the Foster Closet looks ahead, its mission remains unchanged: ensuring that every child entering foster care, kinship care, or a crisis situation has access to the essentials they need and the dignity they deserve.
Community members interested in supporting The Foster Closet can donate gently used or new items, make financial contributions, volunteer their time, or partner with the organization through community initiatives. More information is available at www.thefostercloset.net. Donations directly support children and families served through the organization’s Lafayette and Muncie locations.
About The Foster Closet
Founded in Lafayette, Indiana, in 2021 by Billy and Mandy Holden, The Foster Closet provides free clothing, shoes, hygiene products, baby equipment, bedding, toys, school supplies, and other essential items to children in foster care, kinship care, and adoptive families. Through community donations and volunteer support, The Foster Closet helps remove barriers for caregivers while ensuring children have access to the necessities they need to thrive.
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