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):
Please help to keep the FIT Closet neat and tidy. As you shop:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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!
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 2nd Tuesday of every month. Check their Facebook page for more information.