At any given time, Anderson County has about 250 children in foster care, with most going into foster homes with little more than the clothes they are wearing.
Answering the call to provide immediate, basic needs to foster children and foster families, Belton Foster Closet was established to serve Anderson County and nearby communities. A ministry of First Baptist Church Belton, the program has provided clothes and personal care items for hundreds of children that have been placed into the fostering system.
Belton Foster Closet is supported by monetary and in-kind donations from individuals, Sunday School classes, and even children and young people who hold everything from bake sales to bike-a-thons to raise money for the mission. The Junior League of Anderson County supports the program with the donation of car and booster seats through its Seats For Safety program.
“Children at our church ran a lemonade stand and sold bracelets and donated all of their money to the foster closet,” said program director Katy Sauceman, a member of Belton First Baptist and a foster-turned-adoptive parent. “It was something they did on their own. I was so touched.”
Sauceman knows firsthand the needs of those who are asked to accept a child into their home at a moment’s notice. She and her husband were notified of their approval as licensed foster parents at 2:30 one afternoon back in 2015. At 4:15 p.m. that same day, Sauceman received a call asking them to serve as a foster family for a one-day old baby.
“My husband had just started a new job and I knew he was a little stressed, but when I called to tell him about the request, he said, ‘We didn’t sign up to tell them no,’” said Saucemen during a recent meeting of the United Way of Anderson County Young Philanthropists.
Sauceman recalled how her friends and family sprang into action buying diapers, formula and other items and bringing them to her home.
“I think about people who don’t have the network that I have. If a family needs it and we’ve got it, it’s theirs,” Sauceman said about Belton Foster Closet.
The Foster Closet is stocked with new and used-but-in-excellent-condition clothing for newborns to teenagers. It also has shoes and socks, underwear, diapers, baby wipes, personal care items, backpacks, books and some toys. Foster parents need only show their foster parent agreement letter to receive items, Sauceman said.
Need assistance?
Foster parents needing items may contact Belton Foster Closet at (864) 338-3803.
Want to help?
Monetary and in-kind donations can be mailed or taken to Belton Foster Closet, c/o Belton First Baptist Church, 105 Brown Avenue, Belton, SC 29627.
