About

When children are placed in a foster home, they often arrive with only the clothes on their back. Foster families accept these children at all hours, including the middle of the night, and attempt to provide a home to these children with their own limited resources. Financial assistance is provided but there is sometimes a delay between accepting children and receiving funds to help support them.

A community foster closet attempts to bridge this gap. We hope to act as a resource that foster families can quickly visit upon receiving a placement and get items these children need such as: clothing, shoes, carseats, and other basic needs, free of charge. Through the generous donation of these items from our local community, foster families will be able to use their own resources in other ways while the children are in their homes.

Seeking to follow Christ’s example to love our neighbor as ourselves and to take care of orphans, the Upper Cumberland Foster Closet is a tangible way that people in our community can share their resources with others who will be greatly impacted by them.

UC Foster Closet - Testimony
UC Foster Closet
Foster Family

“I needed clothes and you clothed me” – Matthew 25:36

Meet the Team

Autumn Weitzel

Executive Director

Autumn co-founded the Foster Closet in 2019 with her friend Amanda. The inspiration for the closet came from the many needs  Autumn’s family encountered during their five years as a foster family. Fostering is a challenging journey, and she is so grateful to continue supporting those who are currently fostering.

She is a proud mom of five kids and can usually be found at some type of sporting event! When you visit the Foster Closet, you’ll typically find her in the office planning the next event!

 

Maren Bader

Board Member

 Maren Bader is a wife and mom of 3. In fall of 2019 she saw a post from the Foster Closet asking for volunteers and has been volunteering ever since! She hasn’t been a foster parent herself, but felt a call to be a support for the children and families in the foster care community. 

 

Maren - UCFoster Closet

Stephanie Carpenter

Treasurer

Stephanie’s work with the foster closet began at the beginning of 2020 when volunteering with one of her sons. She quickly fell in love with the organization, its mission, and the families. She has continued to support us ever since. Stephanie has served as treasurer since 2024.