The Tot Shop, which supplies families in need with essential supplies for children from infants to five years old, serves over 550 families each year.
But as we head into the winter season, the Tot Shop has only three winter coats in stock.
Community residents can help out their neighbors in need by donating new, unused winter coats for infants and children up to five years of age to the Tot Shop. Both boys and girls coats are needed at this time. Because of sanitary concerns, only new merchandise is accepted.
Parents who come to the Tot Shop have earned coupons from programs offered by local health care and social service providers. Some examples of activities that offer coupons include prenatal exams, parenting classes, well-baby check-ups, health screenings, immunizations and car seat safety programs.
When parents are able to exchange these coupons for items such as winter coats, it means their money can be saved for those crucial expenses such as rent and utility bills.
Donations of new, unused toddler coats can be dropped off at the Family & Youth Services Bureau offices in Valparaiso at 253 W. Lincolnway, or in Portage at 6469 Central Avenue. Offices are open Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Donations by cash or check are also appreciated, and contributions can be safely made online at www.fysb.org. All contributions are tax deductible.
The Tot Shop is one of the seventeen current programs of the Family & Youth Services Bureau, founded in 1972. The agency’s services and programs provide area residents an opportunity to create a new, responsible path for their life. For more information contact 464-9585 or info@fysb.org.