In 2006, the first Baby Equipment and Resource (B.E.A.R.) Closet launched at Snow Hill United Methodist Church. It was clear there were families with children and needs too great to ignore in every community, so a group of volunteers looked for ways to reach out to provide help for those in need.

B.E.A.R. Closet was opened in 2018 by Philista Gossett, whose mission was to help families in McDowell County, North Carolina that had limited resources, regardless of identity. To date, the B.E.A.R. Closet has served more than 3,000 McDowell County families with essential needs, such as: baby equipment, food, baby clothing, children’s clothing, formula, diapers, and referrals to other community resources.

Today, seven B.E.A.R. locations, each staffed by dedicated volunteers, serve hundreds of families ever year.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to help struggling families provide basic necessities for newborns and young children. Items in the B.E.A.R. Closet are available to families at no charge. We loan larger items out to families to use until they are no longer needed. Our inventory is provided by generous donations from community members. All donations are tax deductible, and forms are provided for record-keeping.