Domestic Violence Prevention Inc. is asking the community to help stock its client supply closet with household items.
Executive Director Pam Dennington said clients-who number about 800 women a year, plus their children-can get what they need out of the closet for free as they rebuild their lives.
"When clients come to the outreach office, they're getting help a lot of times without going into our shelter," Dennington said. "They hide a little money and put a deposit down on a place. Most have jobs and children. What they (need) are things to help them start over, because it's very expensive to set up a household."
Dennington said the supply closet is used daily and the most-requested items are basic household supplies.
"We try to keep new things in the closet that they can shop for to set up their kitchen or bathroom. We have toiletries in there, but right now we have plenty of toiletries. We need more household things," she said. "We're out of sheets. We have no sheets at this time. We're low on bath towels, and we have two blankets left. No dish towels or dish soap and no paper towels. We could use feminine products and toilet paper as well."
Dennington said prospective donors could purchase items for the closet as part of a normal shopping outing.
"If someone is making a trip to Walmart and they want to pick up a set of sheets or a couple of bath towels or extra rolls of toilet paper, we'd really appreciate them bringing it in. That allows these families to use the money they've saved on bigger things they need."
Providing families with a few household supplies may seem inconsequential, but the emotional impact is immeasurable, Dennington said.
"Emotionally, it's an amazing thing. We have lots of tears shopping in the closet. There are a lot of ladies that are so grateful, and they've gone without for so long it brings them to tears. Our mission is to be absolutely sure that we remove as many barriers as possible to help them stay out of an abusive relationship and stay in a safe, violence-free home. The more barriers we remove, the better their chances are."
People who would like to drop off donated items or make a financial donation can visit DVP from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at 424 Spruce St., Texarkana, Texas.