The USD 383 FIT Closet is located at 1609 College Avenue, in the little white house that sits directly behind College Avenue United Methodist Church. Follow the yellow arrows and park in the lot to the north of the church building. Use the sidewalk, enter the gated yard and make your way to the entrance attached to the “deck” (see photo below). Ring the doorbell and someone will be right with you!

In order to provide equitable access for the HUNDREDS of families currently registered with the FIT Closet - we ask that you:

Limit your shopping to your immediate household.  

Limit your shopping each month to the following quantities (PER PERSON in your IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD):

• 3 pairs of shorts OR pants
• 3 shirts 
• 1 dress / skirt
• 1 pair of shoes 
• 1 jacket (or coat - depending on the season) 

Please help to keep the FIT Closet neat and tidy.  As you shop: 

• Please leave the clothing in the bins folded - ready for the next shopper.
• If you decide you don't want an item, please put it back where it belongs.  Do not leave it on the floor or draped over another bin.
• Please leave empty hangers on the rack.  Do not leave empty hangers on the floor or in clothing bins.

• Scheduled appointments help maintain an even number of shoppers in the FIT Closet across all shifts and allows our facility to feel open and welcoming, rather than crowded and panicked.
• Limited # of people/family/appointment: TWO household members per appointment time.

Remember: just as you must register your students at the beginning of each school - all families must also “register” with the FIT Closet. 

Once your family is registered with the FIT Closet for the 2024/25 school year, you’ll be able to schedule your first shopping appointment by calling the FIT Closet at 785-320-6750. If needed, please leave a message and someone will call you back as soon as possible.

There are two “keys” to qualify:  

Key #1. You must have a child registered to attend school within the geographical boundaries of the Manhattan-Ogden school district (this includes Flint Hills Christian School, Manhattan Catholic School, and home-school families who live within the school district’s boundaries).

Key #2. Your family must qualify as either "FIT" (Family In Transition) or for free/reduced fees. Not sure if you qualify for free or reduced fees? Please contact Christina Shoemaker in the USD 383 Business Office. Her number is: 785.587.2000.

You’ll need both of these “keys” to register for FIT Closet access. All families must be registered before making their first FIT Closet appointment.

Once you’re registered, you will be qualified to shop at the FIT Closet once a month for the remainder of the school year.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Every family must re-register at the beginning of each school year.
• Shopping is “by appointment only.”

All families must register for FIT Closet access at the beginning of each school year (regardless of whether you’ve been registered in previous years).

It will just take a few steps to complete!

FIRST STEP

Email the FIT Closet with one or both of the following items:

1. Your Students’ Fee Statement For The Current School Year. If you need a copy of this form, please email Christina Shoemaker (christinas@usd383.org) in the USD 383 Business & Accounting Department. Or, if you’d prefer to speak with her via phone, her number is 785.587.2000.

2. Child Nutrition Services Email that shows your student(s) qualifies for free/reduced meals.

SECOND STEP

Once you provide these items to the FIT Closet, the Coordinator will email you a link to the online FIT Closet Registration Form.

THIRD STEP

Once you’ve completed the FIT Closet Registration Form, the facilitator will email you instructions for scheduling your first shopping appointment.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, please email the FIT Closet.

• 2 people per household/family allowed per appointment.   
• Your 45-minute appointment will start and end promptly.  Be sure to arrive on time and watch the clock during your visit to ensure that you make the most of your appointment. 
• Please come prepared – know what you’ll be shopping for (sizes, types of clothing, etc.).   
• If needed, ask the volunteers for help!  That’s what we’re there for! 
• No donations will be accepted at the FIT Closet.  Please take them to the USD 383 Maintenance Shop (2031 Casement Road).  They’re open Monday-Friday, 7am to 4pm. 

NOTE: Based on community COVID trends, we reserve the right to adjust face mask requirements, number of people allowed/appointment time, etc.

Our facility operates by appointment only. If you are a FIT Closet-registered shopper and you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call the FIT Closet (785-320-6750) during one of the following times:

If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will call you back!

The quick answer: once a month.

The longer answer: We truly desire for shopping at the FIT Closet to be equitable for all who qualify to shop here. Our main priority is assisting students by providing what they need to succeed in school. Due to an increase in USD 383 families who qualify for the FIT Closet, we are asking you to please limit shopping to once a month. If there are unexpected needs during the month, do not hesitate to contact the social worker at your child’s school.

USD 383 SOCIAL WORKERS (SY 23/24) - listed by school

College Hill & Eugene Field. . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Kann

Amanda Arnold / Manhattan Catholic . . Josef Smith

Frank Bergman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leslie Wohler

Bluemont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Sholin

Lee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassandra Myskiw

Marlatt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chauna Sonnier

Northview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pia Rix

Ogden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jade Braun

Oliver Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Gullion

Theodore Roosevelt + pre-K. . . . . . . . . . Sarah Kinder

Woodrow Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl McCormick

Anthony Middle School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Boone / Galen Craghead

Eisenhower Middle School. . . . . . . . . . . Hanna King / Galen Craghead

MHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Thomas

We rely 100% on donations. If they’ve been donated, these are the items you will find when you come in for your appointment:

Brand New Socks & Underwear in all sizes from toddler to adult

Clothing in all sizes - thanks to the incredible generosity of the Manhattan-Ogden community (and beyond), we are able to provide clothing for our students, their parents and any siblings who are not yet school age. We’re very picky about what we accept, and only put the best quality items out!

• Baby clothing: newborn to 24 months
• Boys’/Men’s clothes: 2T to adult 4XL
• Girls’/Women’s clothes: 2T to adult 4XL
• Pajamas: all sizes
• Bras/Sports Bras : all sizes
• Belts, scarves, hats, handbags/purses
• Sweatshirts/hoodies: 2T to adult 4XL
• Jackets/coats: 2T to adult 4XL (seasonal: jackets = year-round | coats = October thru March)
• Hats, mittens and scarves (seasonal: these are only available from October through March)
• Shoes (school-appropriate): all sizes

School supplies: if you’re in need of school supplies, please let one of the volunteers know and they will be happy to help you find what you need

No, we do not offer laundry services at the FIT Closet. Laundry Love MHK provides an opportunity to do up to 5 loads of free laundry per person. They operate at Suds Y'r Duds (1453 Anderson Ave), typically on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month. Check their Facebook page for more information.