About the Cape Cod Foster Closet

Who We Are and What We Do

The Cape Cod Foster Closet was founded by Eastham-residents, Sharon and Andy Palmer in 2021, both of whom still serve on our Board of Directors. Executive Director Ali Geroche joined the staff in September of 2025 and is joined on staff by Ann Emerson as Program Manager. Our operations are supported by a team of 40+ volunteers.

The Cape Cod Foster Closet is a program of Nurturing Foster Families, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) organization, supporting foster, pre-adoptive, and kinship caregiver families by providing essential material goods for children in care. We provide necessary items such as clothing, underwear, shoes, baby equipment, and toiletries for children ages 0-19.

All items are provided free of charge to families on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Southeastern MA. The majority of items we give out are donated by our generous community. We work with our local Department of Children and Families (DCF) office, as well as private agencies, who license foster, pre-adoptive, and kinship caregiver families. We also support families who have guardianship, temporary guardianship, informal, or other forms of custody of non-biological children but are not involved with an agency.

Our core values include community, compassion, respect, and service.

Where We Are Located

Orleans

We are located at 195 Route 6A, Orleans. We are open Monday, 2 pm to 4 pm, Tuesday, 9 am to 2 pm, Wednesday, 2 pm to 4 pm, and the first Saturday of each month from 10 to noon, or by appointment. Follow this link to a map of our location.

Falmouth

We are located at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth at 840 Sandwich Rd., East Falmouth (rear entrance). We are open Thursdays, 10 am to noon, the second Monday of the month 3:30-6:00pm, and the fourth Saturday of the month 12:30-3:00pm. Follow this link to a map of our location.

Foster Children: Physical Needs

Children frequently enter the foster care system with no belongings, or with a trash bag containing just a few clothing items. Babies often arrive with no diapers, bottles, or formula.

This presents a challenge for foster parents who need to provide necessary clothing and items, often on very short notice. Few families have the room to store these items for the wide range of ages of potential foster placements.

Along with these needed items, Cape Cod Foster Closet provides a new duffel bag or backpack for each child so that they never have to carry their belongings in a trash bag again.

Foster Children: Emotional Needs

Children are understandably upset at the huge change in their lives when they enter the foster care system through no fault of their own. The first few weeks of a new placement can be stressful as everyone tries to learn and adjust to new schedules and personalities.

The Cape Cod Foster Closet can ease this difficult time.

Ongoing resources are provided including support groups, mentoring, education, child care assistance, and information about local activities for children and families.

About Us

Executive Director – Ali Geroche joined the Cape Cod Foster Closet’s staff in September of 2025. As a previous kinship caregiver, she intimately understands the challenges and joys of fostering. Prior to joining CCFC, Ali served as Program Manager of the Martha’s Vineyard Family Resource Center, developing programs for parents and youth. She is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work through the Metropolitan State University of Denver, deepening her understanding of the complexities of the child welfare system.

Founders – Sharon and Andy Palmer founded the Cape Cod Foster Closet in 2021. After years of fostering over 30 children, they decided they wanted to provide additional support to foster families, with the ultimate goals of improving the lives of children in foster care, encouraging families to continue fostering, and recruiting more families to consider becoming licensed foster parents. Today they continue to sit on our Board of Directors.

Our Mission

To provide nurturing and compassionate support to foster and kinship families for the benefit of the children in their care.

Our Vision

A community dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and serving foster and kinship families for the benefit of the children entrusted to them.

Our Newsletter

Our Goals

1. Serve as an immediate resource for new placements who may be in need of appropriate clothing or other necessities such as diapers, formula, baby gear, etc.
2. Provide ongoing resources including clothing and basic items, support groups, mentoring, education, childcare assistance and information about local activities for children and families.
3. Encourage prospective foster parents to get licensed by providing information and individualized support.

How Cape Cod Foster Parents Can Get Help

• Visit one of our stores during open hours to shop
• Complete an Assistance Request Form if it would be helpful for us to select and pack items for you
• If you have an urgent need, please text and call our main line 508-514-7125, so that we can respond as quickly as possible.
• We typically can provide requested items within 24 hours.

Each child receiving items for the first time will also receive a duffel bag or backpack to transport items.

How You Can Help – Ways to Donate

• Please consider making an in-kind donation of new or like-new goods, Please visit our Donations page for more information.
• Philanthropic gifts help us purchase the exact items we need, support community building events, and help us sustain our operations. Follow this link to the Donate Now page.
• Volunteer
• Host a supply drive with your neighbors, school, church, or place of work. Contact Ann Emerson at aemerson@capecodfostercloset.org for more information.
• Local businesses can:
  • Offer discounts or services to foster families
  • Provide monetary or in-kind donations
  • Host an event