Launched in 2016, the JFS Children’s Clothing Closet provides a seasonal response to the clothing needs of the elementary school age children in the Metrowest community, with a specific focus on the families most in need in Framingham.

The three-pronged operational model includes seasonal Ready to Wear packages, pop-up shopping events, and individual/family emergency distributions.

Originally piloted in partnership with Harmony Grove and Brophy Elementary Schools and Framingham Adult ESL Plus, the JFS Children’s Clothing Closet was relocated to the Framingham Public Schools Resource Room in 2022, formally establishing the JFS/FPS Resource Room. This move represents an aligning of mutual goals and deepening of the collaborative partnership between the Framingham Public School system and JFS, and enables staff to easily and efficiently provide assistance to families and students as needs arise.

Clockwise: Families select clothing and other much needed items at a pop-up event; A volunteer stocks the shelves with donated items; Students from the JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council explore  the Resource Room and learn a lesson about helping others in need; Volunteers organize and pack bags of seasonal items for young students during the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Massachusetts Day of Service.

About the JFS/FPS Resource Room:

• Purpose: Providing basic needs items to families throughout the district, including clothes, shoes, school supplies, personal care items, seasonal items (eg. winter coats and boots, hats and gloves), sheets, blankets, and children’s toys/games. We emphasize new, good quality items. Integral to the effort is to provide families access to resources in a dignified manner.
• Distribution: Families new to the district (many also are new to the country) can walk-in and shop at the Resource Room. Also, school social workers and administrators can place orders for families in need that our staff and volunteers pack. Bags are delivered directly to the schools.
• Management: A dedicated team of JFS volunteers, with oversight from JFS staff, manages and inventories the Resource Room. Volunteers keep shelves stocked with new and gently-used items, maintain a clean and organized space, source seasonal supplies for students, fulfill item requests and orders, coordinate pop-up distribution events, and collaborate with Framingham Public Schools Family Support Coordinators to ensure every child has the tools they need to thrive academically.
• Non-Profit Partners/Donors: Hope and Comfort, Dignity Matters, Operation Warm, Delivering Good, Good 360, Learning Express, CJP, TJX, CocoTree Kids, Family Promise Metrowest, Yale Appliance Foundation.
• How you can help:
  • • Donate funds
    • Join our team of dedicated volunteers
    • Donate items
      • Amazon Wishlist
      • New items– we have limited space, so please contact us to learn about current needs (we do not have the capacity to accept used items at this time)
      • There is always a need for new socks in all sizes

Contact us today to learn how you can volunteer with or donate to the JFS Children’s Clothing Closet!