MCWEF helps residents in need rest easy

As part of our 2019 grant cycle, the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund awarded $2,500 to Marian's Closet to help provide new bedding for those in need.

Founded in 2007, Marian's Closet is a volunteer-run store that provides free essential items at its location in Wadsworth.

"We are frequently asked for bed sheets and pillows, but sheets are often donated with stains and due to health safety issues, we can't accept used bed pillows –  therefore, we have a hard time providing these items," said Ericha Fryfogle-Joy, executive director of Marian's Closet. "With funding from the Medina County Women's Endowment Fund, we can now fill an important need at our store. It is our mission to improve the quality of life for Medina County residents. With the day-to-day stresses of making ends meet, a solid night's sleep on a bed with fresh sheets and pillows is necessary for our customers."

Fryfogle-Joy said the closet receives requests for nearly 50 sets of sheets and pillows each month and when the store has these items, they don't last long. The Medina County Women's Endowment Fund's grant will allow the organization to purchase about 185 new sets of sheets and pillows to distribute to its customers. 

"We're extremely excited to provide this grant to such an important institution in the community," said Katie Spisak, grants committee co-chair for the Medina County Women's  Endowment Fund. "Everyone should have a nice place to rest at night and Marian's Closet is making sure that and other fundamental needs are met for residents in Medina County."

In addition to bed sheets and pillows, Marian's Closet distributes clothing, shoes, household items, baby supplies, small appliances, books and toys. By providing these items, the store offers a hand to families dealing with some of life's most difficult circumstances, such as job loss, divorce, health issues, unexpected death, and even addiction.

Since 2011, Marian's Closet has helped more than 6,500 families by distributing more than two million items at its store. In 2019 alone, more than 600 new families leaned on Marian's Closet for help and support.

Marian's Closet relies strictly on monetary and material donations for its operation. To cover the cost of rent and utilities, Marian's Closet recently launched a Friends of the Closet annual giving campaign. Through this campaign, the organization is asking donors to commit $30 annually. 

Marian's Closet's goal is to have 500 Friends of the Closet so it can better focus its time and efforts on helping the community. 

For more information about the Friends of the Closet campaign, visit www.marianscloset.org/friendsofthecloset. Marian's Closet is located at 154 East St. Wadsworth, Ohio 44281.