Our Story

On December 16th 1980, Debbie and her children returned home from celebrating her husband’s birthday to find their house in ashes. Through a haze of black smoke and police sirens came a dreadful realization; they had no insurance, everything was lost.

With 9 days until Christmas, the Rice family owned nothing except the clothes on their backs. Debbie didn’t have a single present for her children, or even a suit so that her husband could continue his job as a pastor. Only through the kindness of their neighbors were they able to survive through this terrible hardship.

Family friends gave food, donated suits, and even took presents from underneath their own trees until the Rice’s were able to get back on their feet. After receiving such overwhelming support, Debbie was inspired to pay it forward by helping others. As soon as she had more than the bare minimum, Debbie began giving back to the community.

It started with a single closet in the back of her church, dedicated to storing and distributing basic necessaries to those in need. After gaining momentum, Debbie’s Closet was able to focus their efforts on providing housing and supplies for single mothers and their children, but they knew they could do more!

In recent years, Debbie’s Closet has expanded its support of those in need by raising funds and supplies for victims of recent hardships nationwide.

With your help, Debbie’s Closet can continue to lend a helping hand to those who need it most.