Hygiene Items for Students in Need

The Caring Closet provides personal hygiene items at no cost to students and families of Guilderland Central School District.

Serving all of the GCSD schools.

A Registered 501(c)(3) Charity

As a charity driven completely by volunteers, you can rest assured that 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting children and families in need of hygiene supplies. ♥️

Thank You to Our Supporters

How to Help

There are many ways you can help us in our mission. Here are just a few:

GiveButter

Donate via our Give Butter donation link

Amazon

Donate items via our Amazon list

Donation Boxes

Locations to drop off donations:

  • Guilderland Town Hall

  • Gade Farm

  • Altamont Free Library

  • Guilderland Public Library

  • Ten Thousand Villages

  • 4 Charles Blvd, Guilderland (charity location)

Volunteer

Contact Amanda if you would like more information on how to volunteer.

In the News

The Caring Closet has been featured in several news stories, including:

For all the latest goings-on, visit our Facebook site, or for your convenience, scroll through our Facebook timeline in the box below:

About Us

A few words about The Caring Closet Guilderland, Inc.-We are a registered 501 (c) (3) with a mission to provide personal hygiene items at no cost to Guilderland Central School District students and their families. Our goal is to remove the lack of access to personal hygiene products as a block to the youth of our town from receiving the same education as those who aren't in need. Data shows that children with lack of access to proper hygiene care miss more days of school, suffer mental health issues, such as stress and depression and often display lower self confidence.By supplying all 7 schools in the district with different ways to disseminate the products throughout their school, we are reaching a few hundred clients that are in need of help, all anonymous to us. We offer monthly hygiene totes filled with products at the beginning of each month that will be refilled and returned for the next month. We have supplied pantries with a perpetual inventory of products that students in need can access, as well as for teachers who assist the children in gaining what they might need. We are not only helping those in need, but those that help others in need. Teachers and other staff were previously supplying the products if a child was in need. Now they can direct the student to the Caring Closet or get them signed up for a monthly tote, all which helps keep the money the teachers and staff were spending in their own pocket.We have seen tremendous growth in need as more have become aware of our services. It is through the kindness of the community that we are able to continue to reach so many, as we run solely on donations as an all volunteer organization. Every dollar donated goes right back into helping those in need, a resource that they have come to rely on. We believe we are truly changing lives, one bar of soap at a time.

Bios

Amanda Beedle is the Founder and Executive Director for The Caring Closet Guilderland. A lifelong resident of Altamont and GCSD graduate who grew up 1 of 10 kids living in a single family home, Amanda knows the impact of poverty all too well. She founded the charity based on the idea that students and their families shouldn’t have to worry about access to items such as basic hygiene items as a roadblock in their educational journey.
She is a wife and mom/step-mom to 5 boys, 3 of which are Guilderland graduates. Amanda is a Councilwoman for the Town of Guilderland and works for Capital Region BOCES as Program Coordinator for asset management. She is a fierce advocate for those who may not have access to what they need to thrive in life. The Caring Closet is a labor of love for her and she is committed to ensuring its success for years to come.

As the Director of Partnerships and Impact for Greater DC Diaper Bank, Carrie Fassett manages a network of over 75 non-profit partners and directs the evaluation of all programs at the diaper bank. Carrie is committed to the mission of making sure that families have the resources that they need to thrive. An Altamont, NY native, Carrie moved back to the area in 2021 with her family after spending nearly 20 years in the Washington DC metro area. A proud GCHS graduate, she is excited to bring her experience and commitment to anti-poverty work to the Caring Closet Guilderland Board.

Shannon Clegg is a Spanish teacher at Guilderland High School and is 20 years strong in the district. She is the advisor of extracurricular clubs at the school as well as the Freshmen Transition Advisor. She is also a Teacher Consultant for the Capital District Writing Project and enjoys writing and crafting in her free time. Shannon has a passion for social justice and teaching an appreciation of differences. She volunteered to become the high school teacher liaison for the closet and was excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board and help those in need.

Jessica Marble is a Program Coordinator for the New York State Department of Health School Environmental Health Program. The Program helps schools take action to create healthier learning and working environments for all students and staff. As a resident of Altamont since 2009, she actively supports her community through her work and volunteer efforts. Her commitment to local families extends to her work, with her family members attending the Guilderland Central School District. Jessica is excited to serve as a board member of the Caring Closet-Guilderland where she aims to further support and enrich her community. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and their families.

Judi Aumand is a partner at a local law firm Burke, Scolamiero & Hurd, LLP defending the interests of municipalities, businesses, and individuals in civil litigation. She is also married and mother to three children all of whom are currently enrolled in Guilderland Schools. As a Guilderland (Altamont) resident, she appreciates the sense of community of all residents and is excited to join the Caring Closet Guilderland Board to open a new avenue to those in need.