Providing Gently Used Durable Medical Equipment To Those In Need

A Caring Closet - Vancouver, WA

In 2015, Jodie Zelazny and Sara Scheetz had a great idea! They began to collect slightly used durable medical equipment (DME) and redistribute the items to people in need at no charge. Items included wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, hospital beds and more. Serving the Vancouver, Washington region, they experienced a huge demand for DME and eventually realized that their garage was simply too small. Celebrating eight years of operation, they have recently moved to a 4,000 SF facility and serve over 14,000 individuals each year.

The majority of recipients are seniors who are uninsured or underinsured and referred to A Caring Closet by one of the many partnerships with local organizations that help older individuals. However, they have also partnered with Randall Children’s Hospital to help children with walkers, hospital beds, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment.

When someone comes into A Caring Closet facility and sees something they need, they simply sign a waiver and take it home at no charge. A Caring Closet depends on a large group of volunteers and donated equipment from the public, assisted living centers, adult family homes, as well as equipment returned after being loaned out from their organization.

When A Caring Closet needed financial support to assist with the cost of their expanded facility, the JTMF Foundation saw this as a great opportunity to support the work they do to help older individuals and children in need.

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