Family develops resource for others who foster

As a foster parent, children coming into your home don't always come with what they need. Often, foster families are left to pull together clothes, toys, carseats and more. James and Rhonda Schneider, who have provided foster care for more than 20 years, have found themselves in this situation and have created a foster care closet for other foster families.

"Our first case we got three children, and they had one T-shirt for the three of them," Rhonda said. "So, we took them to Walmart at 10 at night and guessed their sizes."

While Rutherford County Department of Social Services has received donations of items for children in foster care in the past, the department didn't have a place to store them, James said. The family has taken their garage and turned it into a storage building for items for children ranging from birth through teens.

"It's not unusual for a foster child to come to your home at 9 at night with nothing," James said.

The Schneiders began the closet as a resource for those families who needed items for foster children. While a stipend is provided for the child's care, it doesn't always cover all of the child's needs.

"We had a mom who recently got a child at night, and needed a car seat, clothes ... everything she needed we were able to provide," Rhonda said.

While not expected, many times foster families will give back the items once they are no longer needed. The Schneiders store them for the next family to use.

Clothes and baby equipment are often needed, but children are also provided a backpack or suitcase and a blessing bear. Those items can help a displaced child to have something that belongs to them, Rhonda explained.

"Many times if they do have items with them, they are carrying them in a plastic bag. No one should have to carry their things that way," she said.

One of the Schneiders' kids - they don't refer to any child in their home as a foster child, "They are just our kids" - gave another child in need a doll.

"It was her way of giving back because she knew what she needed," Rhonda said.

The Schneiders have quickly outgrown their garage and are looking into renting storage units. When they began the closet they never imagined it would get as much notoriety as it has. Word of mouth and Facebook have been great tools for gathering needed items, and donations are welcomed.

"But, if you wouldn't put your child in it, don't send it," Rhonda asked. "My next goal is to have a couple of the main formulas on hand for families."

They will have information about the closet at Fostering Together on May 21, an event both hope touches hearts.

"The biggest thing I hear is that I can't get attached," Rhonda said. "In our experience, we've been blessed to still get to see some of the children we've fostered."

For more information, visit Rutherford County Foster Care Closet on Facebook.