Franklin County Foster Closet is the go-to for foster parents needing clothes, supplies and community

When Amber Raney and her husband became foster parents three and a half years ago, they opened their home to any child, of any age, needing any size or gender of clothes, at a moment’s notice. Ahead of their second placement, they were given about five hours to prepare their home for its two newest residents — a 7-month-old girl and an 18-month-old girl.

Amber Raney sorts clothes while Sarah Hennecke shops — Buy Now

Amber Raney, left, sorts clothes while Sarah Hennecke shops for clothes for her foster child April 5 at the Franklin County Foster Closet. Clothes are organized by size and gender.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

“We didn’t have any baby stuff. None,” Raney said. “We didn’t have a car seat, a crib, a Pack ’n Play. I was at a meeting when I got the call, and before I left I was like, ‘Hey, does anyone have stuff I can borrow?’ But it’s hard getting things from different locations because you’re mentally taxed having to remember where everything came from and when you have to return it.”

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Buy Now

Franklin County Foster Closet volunteers, from left, Tyler Raney, Callie Tankersley, holding Merritt, Cody Raney, Amber Raney, Mason Raney, Elayna Hiatte, Amanda Caldwell and Lucy Caldwell, stand inside the closet April 5 in Union. The foster closet is located in the Franklin County Resource Center inside the old Clark-Vitt Elementary School.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

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Buy Now

Donated clothes sit in lockers outside the Franklin County Foster Closet April 5 in Union. Other lockers house grab-and-go kits that caseworkers can take to foster children.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

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Amanda Caldwell sorts donations — Buy Now

Amanda Caldwell, left, and Amber Raney sort donations by size and gender April 5 at the Franklin County Foster Closet. Closet volunteers ask that any donations are brought in grocery bags, not trash bags.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

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Prom dresses hang with other clothes — Buy Now

Prom dresses hang in a room of teen clothing next to the Franklin County Foster Closet April 5 in Union. The teen room is run by the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services and staffed by teen volunteers.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

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Buy Now

Sarah Hennecke searches for shoes for her foster child April 5 at the Franklin County Foster Closet, housed in the old Clark-Vitt Elementary School.
Missourian Photo/Julia Hansen

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