Many people in high school search for the perfect place to volunteer, whether it be for the NHS or just for fun. One of the places you can volunteer is Kaitlyn’s Kloset in Eagan. Kaitlyn’s Kloset is a MN registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located inside Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Church. 

My experience while volunteering was remarkable. I have volunteered there for a total of 28 hours and enjoyed every moment of it. The atmosphere is friendly, and there are a limited number of volunteer spots available in a time frame, so you don’t feel like you’re one of many. It always felt good knowing I was helping the community and getting NHS hours at the same time. Kaitlyn says that you should volunteer because “Volunteers are everything to my organization! With our organization, we only have two part-time staff members who are paid, and everyone else is a volunteer. Kaitlyn’s Kloset truly would not be able to function without the generous support of volunteers offering their time. We also operated for over ten years solely on volunteer time, and I think that truly speaks to how impactful volunteers can be.”

If you are worried about the workload of tasks you would have to accomplish while volunteering, just know that Kaitlyn’s Kloset has a wide variety of options. To further explain this, Kaitlyn told me that the volunteers get to do a multitude of tasks. “Tasks could include sorting clothes by size, folding and organizing clothing shelves, stocking food shelves, or counting incoming donations are a few examples of everyday tasks. We have tasks for people of all abilities and are happy to have a wide variety of tasks for our volunteers so everyone can find something they enjoy doing.” 

Kaitlyn’s Kloset president is Kaitlyn Stock, who started this organization in 2015 while in high school, later moving into the church for a bigger space in 2022. When asked about why she started the organization she said, “I started Kaitlyn’s Kloset because I saw a need in the community and felt I had the capability to fill that need. There was a gap in our community amongst people who needed children’s items and people who had items to donate, and all that was needed was a connection between the two.” Every time you volunteer, you will most likely see her and her mom, Kristen Stock, the vice president. The organization has a resource room with clothes for newborns to size 18 kids, food, personal care, and more available. Kaitlyn’s Klosets goal is to provide a welcoming space for all people, regardless of caregiver status. The items are free of charge and provide extra help for anyone who needs it while also taking away the stigma that comes with receiving help. 

Because of people’s help and support for Kaitlyn’s closet, they were able to open up a resource center that created an independent location beside their home. I recommend anyone sign up, even if you do not need to complete NHS requirements. If you are under 16 and would like to volunteer, you do need to be accompanied by an adult.