The Catholic Charities Regional Office in Hertford is now offering a new service, a Clothing Closet and Food Pantry. Monica Raynor, Albemarle Regional Director, explains why this new service is being provided. “There is a lot of unmet need in the community. Other service providers in the area have limited distribution times for clothing and food and it can be challenging to qualify for benefits. Our services are open to all individuals.” The Clothing Closet and Food Pantry is open on Monday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; on Wednesday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; and on Thursday from 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm.
The Food Pantry will provide a small bag of food to help a family in crisis get through a meal or two. Potential items available through the Clothing Closet include: baby, child, and adult clothing; small household items like sheets and towels; and other items such as pocketbooks, coats, and belts. Before visiting the office, individuals looking for assistance should contact the Hertford Office to make sure resources are available.
The Clothing Closet and Food Pantry will also serve as a referral tool for some of the other services offered in the Hertford Office. Family Case Managers work with families to empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency. However, Ms. Raynor explained that, “When families are worried about where their next meal will come from, they don’t have time and energy to think about the future.” The Clothing Closet and Food Pantry will meet the family’s immediate need, then they can be referred to a case manager who can help with their long term needs and help them to become self-sufficient.
The Clothing Closet and Food Pantry relies heavily on donations from the local community. If you are looking to donate food or clothing, please call the Hertford Office before arriving so they can prepare to accept the donation. The Clothing Closet is always looking for more children’s clothing, especially back to school clothing in August and September. Financial donations are accepted at any time and can be made through our secure online portal here.