*AVATAR-APPROPRIATE* donations may be dropped off at…
Keith Noll Maintenance Center @ 2031 Casement Road | 7:00am To 4:00pm | M-F
Please label your bags with general contents (e.g., men’s, children’s/kid’s, etc.). This helps our team focus on donations that are most needed.
*AVATAR-APPROPRIATE*
Our AVATAR is any USD 383 student (PreK through Seniors in high school - so, 3-year-olds to 18-year-olds). We strive to fill our racks and bins with items our “avatar” would be EXCITED and PROUD to wear to school. THEREFORE, we BEG YOU TO donate ONLY ITEMS that are AVATAR-APPROPRIATE…and ONLY ITEMS that are on our accepted donations list.
If your donation is filled with clothing that would be more appropriate for someone 30 years or older (or with stuffed animals/toys, home decor, Christmas trees, mattresses, kitchen items, or other items NOT on our accepted donations list), we ask that you deliver those to an area thrift store: The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, The Ogden Friendship House of Hope, & The Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Thank you for your generosity and support of the FIT Closet and the amazing families we are privileged to serve!! We simply could not do what we do without you!
The following critically needed items can be taken to either of our TWO donation locations (see details below the list):
Boy’s & Girl’s Short-Sleeved Shirts and Tank Tops (3T and up)
Boy’s & Girls’s Shorts (3T and up)
Athletic Pants - child & adult sizes
Tennis Shoes - child & adult sizes
Slides/Sandals/Flip Flops - child & adult sizes
Linens (Bath Towels & Washcloths, Blankets, Sheet Sets)
Donations must be FRESHLY LAUNDERED and in EXCELLENT CONDITION. Donations do not need to be new (except for socks & underwear).
Clothing donations must be "AVATAR-APPROPRIATE" - meaning a student (pre-K thru 12th grade) would be proud/excited to wear it to school!
Donations can be taken to:
Keith Noll Maintenance Center (2031 Casement Road)
M-F | 7a-4p
You could also place an Amazon order using our Wish Lists and have everything shipped staight to us!
You can shop for needed items for the FIT Closet from the comfort of your own home and have your order shipped directly to the FIT Closet (1609 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502)! Simply click on one of the buttons below and start shopping! Thank you in advance for your generosity!
When you’re thinking about donating - PLEASE - REMEMBER OUR AVATAR! If a USD 383 student (pre-K thru 12th grade) would be excited/proud to wear it to school, then we’ll be happy to accept it! If it’s something a 30+ year-old would like, please donate elsewhere. We recommend The Budget Shop and The Encore Shop.
If you don’t see an item on this list - check the ABC’s - What We Don’t Accept dropdown and learn where else in town you can donate that particular item.
Socks & Underwear (new only)
Men’s & Women’s socks & underwear: all sizes
Girls’ & Boys’ socks & underwear: all sizes
Clothing
Please donate ONLY NEW or GENTLY USED & in EXCELLENT/CLEAN condition.
Please ensure your clothing donation is something our “AVATAR” would be excited/proud to wear to school.
Baby clothing: newborn to 24 months (we realize this age doesn’t fit our “avatar” definition, but many of our families have younger children at home that are not yet school age).
Boys’/Men’s pants and shirts: 2T to adult 4XL
Girls’/Women’s pants and shirts/blouses: 2T to adult 4XL
Girls’ and Women’s dresses and skirts: all sizes
Pajamas: all sizes
Bras/Sports Bras (size must be readable): all sizes
Belts
Jackets/sweatshirts/hoodies: 2T to adult 4XL
Coats: 2T to adult 4XL
Hats, mittens and scarves
Shoes
School-appropriate shoes: children and adult sizes
Gym shoes: children and adult sizes
Snow boots: all sizes
Athletic Wear
Shorts & Shirts: Youth S, M, L, and XL; Adult S-4XL
Athletic pants/sweatpants: Youth S, M, L, and XL; Adult S-4XL
Other Items
Linens (towels, washcloths, sheet sets, pillowcases, mattress covers, comforters, blankets)
Masking Tape - used to label shoe sizes
Rubber Bands - used to keep shoe “pairs” together
Safety pins (used to pair together outfits, pajamas, mittens & gloves)
Monetary Donations
Please make checks payable to USD383 and write FIT Closet in memo line. Checks can be sent directly to the FIT Closet. Our mailing address is 1609 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502.
School Supplies
PLEASE only donate BRAND NEW school supplies!
We have VERY limited school supply storage space! IF YOU DON’T SEE a particular school supply listed below, PLEASE DON’T DONATE IT to us.
Backpacks (no wheels) - elementary size & middle/high school size
3-ring binders (1” & 1.5" ONLY - preferably with clear-view covers)
Filler paper (wide & college rule)
5-tab dividers for 3-ring binders
Pocket folders - NO PRONGS (3-hole punched/any color)
Spiral notebooks (wide & college rule)
Composition notebooks (wide & college rule)
Pencil boxes
Pencil bags (3-hole binder pouches)
#2 Pencils
Erasers (large/pink)
BLACK dry erase markers
BLACK permanent markers (fine point)
Highlighters
Crayons (24 ct. boxes)
Glue: glue sticks & bottles of white liquid glue
Scissors (5” & 7”)
Bold-tip markers - CLASSIC COLORS ONLY (8 or 10 ct. boxes)
Watercolor paints (8-pan)
Colored pencils (12 ct. boxes)
Stylus w/ pen tip
Earbuds / Headphones
Ziploc bags (sandwich, quart, and gallon)
Reusable Water Bottles
A
Air Mattresses: Regardless of whether or not they can hold air, we do not accept air mattresses (or any other type of furniture). The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be MUCH BETTER options.
Avatar-INappropriate clothing: Any clothing that a pre-K through 12th grade student would NOT be proud/excited to wear to school. The Budget Shop or Goodwill would be better options.
B
Beyond-Wear Items: Holey/ripped/stained clothing and shoes should be recycled. PLEASE DO NOT DONATE!
Baby Gear (bottles, booster seats, breastfeeding pumps, etc.): Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center
Bath Robes: We simply don’t have room for these bulky items. The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be better options.
Beds/Box Springs: One great option is our area’s Care Portal. Another wonderful option is Helping International Students (an organization that serves int’l students at K-State).
Books: Little Free Libraries are all over town. Another option is a favorite of the FIT Closet Coordinator: The Dusty Bookshelf MHK - you can donate your books or ask for store credit.
Booster Seats: check with Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center, they may be able to accept.
Business Suits: The KSU Career Closet
C
Children’s Car Seats: check with Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center, they may be able to accept.
Career Wear (business suits, blazers, suit jackets, sportcoats, etc.): The KSU Career Closet
Curtains/Window Coverings: The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be better options.
D
Diapers/Wipes/Pull-Ups: Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center or Riley County Health Department (WIC or Maternal & Infant Health) or Catholic Charities (212 S. 4th St: Suite 120, Manhattan / Phone: (785) 323-0644)
Decor: We simply do not have room for home decor items, no matter how small. Please take your knick-knacks, tzchockes, holiday decorations, lamps, decorative boxes, etc. to one of our local thrift stores (The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill).
Denim that’s ripped, stained, out-of-style: American Eagle in the Manhattan Town Center Mall accepts ripped/stained/out-of-style denim! Donated denim enters the Blue Jeans Go Green program where it’s recycled into insulation for Habitat for Humanity houses!
E
Extra Plastic Hangers (the type you get with clothing purchased at a retail store): We do not need these - please donate them elsewhere or recycle them.
F
Food: three great options for unopened/shelf-stable/non-expired foods: The Peace Full Pantry at Peace Lutheran Church, Flint Hills Breadbasket, and Blessing Boxes for Manhattan
Furniture: Habitat for Humanity ReStore (513 Pillsbury Dr. - open Thursday thru Saturday, 10a to 4p) is a great place to donate furniture! Another great option is Helping International Students (an organization that serves int’l students at K-State). Yet another great option is our area’s Care Portal.
G
Games: reach out to Judy @ Toys for Manhattan.
H
High Heels: Our high school students only have a few minutes between classes…high heels are NOT school-appropriate. Please take all high heels to The KSU Career Closet, The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill.
Holiday Decor: The Budget Shop, Toys for Manhattan, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill.
House Dresses: Not something our “Avatar” would be excited to wear to school. Please donate to The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill.
Hygiene Items (full-size): Flint Hills Breadbasket (905 Yuma St. | Monday through Friday | 8am to 4pm).
Hygiene Items (hotel-size): LEAVE THEM AT THE HOTEL! I’ve spoken with EVERY agency I can think of and no one wants hotel-size hygiene items!
I
J
“Junk” Leftover From Your Garage Sale: The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill
K
Kitchenware: Kitchen Restore or Cat’s Cupboard - Please ensure that all donations are clean and in working order.
L
Laundry Baskets: We have a good quantity for our needs at the FIT Closet. Please take any extra laundry baskets to The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill.
Leftovers from your garage sale: Unless the items that are leftover are on our list, please take to The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill instead.
M
Maternity Clothes: Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center
Mattresses: reach out to our area’s Care Portal. Need more info on Care Portal? Click over to their website. Another option is Helping International Students (an organization that serves int’l students at K-State).
N
Non-USD 383 Spirit-Wear: Since we support only students in the Manhattan-Ogden school district, we ask that you donate other districts’ “spirit wear” elsewhere. The Budget Shop, or Goodwill would be better options.
O
Outdated/no-longer-in-style clothing: Goodwill would be the best place to take these types of clothing items - KSU students search there to find clothing to wear to “retro” parties.
Old Phones/Phone Cases, Old Tech Gear (of any kind): The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be much better places for these items!
P
Plastic Hangers (the ones that come with the clothes from stores like Walmart, Target, Old Navy, etc.): PLEASE RECYCLE! Don’t donate to us.
Pillows: The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill
Playpens/Pack N Plays: Life Choice Ministries / Pregnancy Testing Center
Q
R
Roller Blades/Roller Skates: reach out to Judy @ Toys for Manhattan
S
Stuffed Animals: reach out to Judy @ Toys for Manhattan
Shower Curtains / Liners: The Budget Shop, or The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be better options.
Swimsuits/Swimwear/Swimsuit Cover-Ups/Floaties/Life Jackets/etc.: The Budget Shop, or The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be better options, as we simply do not have room for these items.
T
Ties (business-wear): The KSU Career Closet
Toys: reach out to Judy @ Toys for Manhattan
U
Used Office Supplies: We provide ONLY NEW school supplies to our students. Please take any used office supplies to The Budget Shop or Goodwill instead.
Used Underwear: We give out only new/never been worn underwear to our shoppers. The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill may accept these as donations.
V
Vintage anything: Please take anything “vintage” to The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill.
W
Wire Hangers: We do not accept these types of hangers - please recycle.
Window Coverings: The Budget Shop, The Encore Shop, or Goodwill would be better options.
X
X-Rated Clothing (or items that have references to alcohol, drugs, guns/violence, gambling, sexual innuendo): Goodwill may accept these as donations.
Y
Your old, holey, worn out, pit-stained, and/or ripped clothing: PLEASE RECYCLE - DO NOT DONATE! We only accept clothing that is “on-trend” and in EXCELLENT CONDITION.
Z
Zippers broken? Buttons missing? We don’t want it either. Please take these types of items to an alterations business for repair before donating.
Did you know that the FIT Closet operates 100% on donations? Aside from the paycheck our facilitator receives from USD 383 (1/2-time hours), the FIT Closet receives no other monies from the school district. Nor do we receive monies from the City of Manhattan, from Riley or Pottawatomie Counties, the State of Kansas or from any federal entity.
Therefore, the FIT Closet relies on the generosity of the Manhattan-Ogden community - people like you - to keep our racks, bins and shelves stocked!
We want to be 100% transparent with how we spend the $$ donated to us.
Everything our shoppers have access to at the FIT Closet has been donated, or has been purchased with donated monies. Even the building we occupy is generously donated to us by the congregation of College Avenue United Methodist Church! They even pay our electric, water, trash, internet and phone bills!
Our shoppers “shop” free of charge. We have instituted shopping guidelines/limits for how how many articles of clothing a family can take for each family member during their monthly visit.
So, if we’re not spending $$ on clothing, where exactly do we spend the donated monies? That’s a great question - glad you asked! The majority of donated money is spent on the items listed in the “monthly snapshots” detailed on our “Monthly Numbers” section. A small percentage of money is spent on operating expenses (i.e., copy paper, printer ink, masking tape, paper towels, and misc. cleaning supplies to keep the FIT Closet organized and clean).
Monthly Snapshots
The following monthly snapshots use data collected from our shoppers’ “shopping lists.” Each shopper has the option to fill out a shopping list when they make their once-a-month visit to the FIT Closet…once complete, a volunteer fills their “order.” One of our volunteers tabulates these shopping lists at the end of each month and generates a report.
It’s good to have a lens of past years to look through as you evaluate these numbers. In SY 22/23, our highest month saw 209 families and we gave out 2196 pairs of socks and 2037 pairs of underwear. We’re going to need even more support this school year, as we do our best to meet the increasing needs in our Manhattan-Ogden community.
FIT Closet Registration - Month-To-Month Comparison
March 2024: 578 families / 1243 students
February 2024: 568 families / 1227 students
January 2024: 562 families / 1217 students
November/December 2023: 550 families / 1190 students
October 2023: 527 families / 1151 students
September 2023: 502 families / 1088 students
August 2023: 484 families / 1058 students
End of SY22/23: 479 families / 1019 students
March 2024 Snapshot
146 appointments kept | Approximately 646 family members cared for! (These numbers are lower than previous months, as we were closed for 6 days due to Spring Break)
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 1427 pairs of socks and 1379 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 396 | Underwear: 351
Girl's Socks: 342 | Underwear: 324
Men's Socks: 317 | Underwear: 324
Women's Socks: 372 | Underwear: 380
February 2024 Snapshot
158 appointments kept | Approximately 778 family members cared for!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 1887 pairs of socks and 1767 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 441 | Underwear: 432
Girl's Socks: 414 | Underwear: 411
Men's Socks: 492 | Underwear: 414
Women's Socks: 540 | Underwear: 510
January 2024 Snapshot
Due to winter break and losing 8 shifts to “inclement weather days”, we had our slowest month of the current school year.
127 appointments kept | Approximately 610 family members cared for!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 1530 pairs of socks and 1455 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 384 | Underwear: 402
Girl's Socks: 345 | Underwear: 333
Men's Socks: 420 | Underwear: 333
Women's Socks: 381 | Underwear: 387
November/December 2023 Snapshot
Due to all of the holiday closings in November & December, we combine these two months into one for appointments, in order to ensure that everyone is able to have the opportunity for an appointment before winter break.
224 appointments kept | Approximately 1967 family members cared for!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 2730 pairs of socks and 2298 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 666 | Underwear: 429
Girl's Socks: 660 | Underwear: 585
Men's Socks: 708 | Underwear: 552
Women's Socks: 696 | Underwear: 732
October 2023 Snapshot
231 APPOINTMENTS KEPT | APPROXIMATELY 1097 FAMILY MEMBERS CARED FOR!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 2721 pairs of socks and 2597 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 663 | Underwear: 678
Girl's Socks: 636 | Underwear: 627
Men's Socks: 639 | Underwear: 554
Women's Socks: 783 | Underwear: 738
September 2023 Snapshot
165 APPOINTMENTS KEPT | APPROXIMATELY 801 FAMILY MEMBERS CARED FOR!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 1935 pairs of socks and 1977 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 501 | Underwear: 492
Girl's Socks: 465 | Underwear: 462
Men's Socks: 483 | Underwear: 486
Women's Socks: 486 | Underwear: 537
August 2023 Snapshot
239 APPOINTMENTS KEPT | APPROXIMATELY 1125 FAMILY MEMBERS CARED FOR!
Socks & Underwear (each family member receives 3 pairs of each size requested):
We gave out a total of 2760 pairs of socks and 2571 pairs of underwear.
Boy's Socks: 642 | Underwear: 666
Girl's Socks: 645 | Underwear: 600
Men's Socks: 708 | Underwear: 606
Women's Socks: 708 | Underwear: 699
We acknowledge the importance of ALL donors* - regardless of the donation amount, type or size. It would be nearly impossible to define or measure the actual quantity of the clothing donations we receive each month (or identify the donors). Regardless, we hope you know how INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL we are to each and every one of you who’s dropped off donations!!
Financial gifts are much easier to track. This page will be updated on the first of each month with all financial donations made to the FIT Closet in the previous month. This is just one more way to communicate to the community how much we appreciate your generosity and continued support! Without our donors, the FIT Closet would cease to exist.
If you are interested in joining our “Donor Honor Roll” - simply send your financial gift to the FIT Closet at (1609 College Ave. | Manhattan, KS 66502). Make sure to write your check out to USD 383 and write “FIT Closet” in the memo line, to ensure the monies are deposited in the FIT Closet account (and not the school district’s general fund).
APRIL 2024: $3782.75
Alpha Xi Delta (KSU Chapter)
MARCH 2024: $500.00
Frink Trust
Alpha Xi Delta Sorority (KSU Chapter) / Culver’s Fundraiser
JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2024: $2075.00
Rebecca Dilbek
Frink Trust
Neal & Andrea Wollenberg
Jill & Jefferson Pfannenstiel
Auntie Mae's Parlor (proceeds from Dan Valentine Memorial Art & Bake Sale)
DECEMBER 2023: $8003.00
PEO - Chapter BD
Karla Fisher
Janice Wissman
Peg Janssen
Karen Davis
First United Methodist Church
Amy Meng
Heartland Corvette Club
McCown Gordon Construction
Alpha Xi Delta (KSU Chapter)
NOVEMBER 2023: $8412.47
Cathy Aslin
CAUMC Women
Manhattan Optimist Club
Trinity Presbyterian Church
CA & Barbara Hackbart
St. Luke's LWML
Heartland Dermatology / AXID
Alpha Xi Delta (KSU Chapter)
Frink Trust
Manhattan Mennonite Community
OCTOBER 2023 TOTAL: $4870.00
Manhattan Area Retired Educators Association
College Ave. UMC (Teacher Gift)
Colbert Hills Golfers & Golf Pro - Steve Gotsche
Alpha Xi Delta (KSU Chapter)
Little Apple Pilot Club
SEPTEMBER 2023 TOTAL: $1805.00
Konza United Way
Frink Trust
ESB Financial
Cathy Aslin
AUGUST 2023 TOTAL: $400.00
Flint Hills Association of Realtors
Frink Trust
Susan Grier
JULY 2023 TOTAL: $1188.66
Manhattan Junior Crew
Blue Valley Methodist Church
Frink Trust
Alpha Xi Delta (KSU Chapter)
Janet Marsh
*There is one entity that is ALWAYS on the honor roll: College Ave. United Methodist Church! We are so grateful for the generous gift of the little white house we occupy, free of charge (and for the free internet, utilities, lawn care and snow removal)!
Bombas
If you’ve ever heard a Bombas advertisement and wondered, “Do they really donate a pair of socks for every pair purchased?” Let me tell you - the answer is a resounding YES! The USD 383 FIT Closet is blessed to be a Bombas Partner. In 2020, we applied for and were awarded 2,500 pairs of Bombas socks! We applied again in 2021 - and were awarded 5,000 pairs of Bombas socks! Our 2022 application brought us 10,000 pairs of socks to share with our shoppers and other community agencies who serve those experiencing homelessness! We were awarded the same amount (10,000 pairs) with our 2023 application! We have received 27,500 pairs of socks thanks to this amazing partnership!