Partner Agency Spotlight: Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats Food Pantry
‘If you can’t find it, you create it.’
That’s what Wendy Esquibel, founder of Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats Food Pantry, said about starting her nonprofit organizations. Wendy, a long time foster parent in Arizona, knew that there were so many children that needed foster and adoptive parents. She also recognized the barriers both emotionally and financially for people to assume the role of parent for another child. Knowing help with clothing and food would be a godsend, she founded two nonprofits to address these barriers.
The first, Jose’s Closet, named after Wendy’s late foster son, is a resource center for foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Arizona. Jose’s Closet supports these families by providing needed items to reduce financial burdens. What started in 2007 in Wendy’s spare closet and later her garage, is now a fully stocked warehouse comparable in size to ten classrooms!
The resource center has gently-used clothing, offering sizes from newborn to adult. They also provide shoes, books, toys, diapers, cleaning supplies, sports equipment and more. Everything in the resource center is cleaned and inspected before it is neatly organized by size, gender and item. Wendy is particular about what she puts out for the families who visit.
“We don’t give our customers junk. If we wouldn’t give it to our own kids, we wouldn’t give it to the kids we serve here.”
Jose’s Closet “hopes to make welcoming these children into a home an easier transition by providing those needed items.” This endeavor, however, was just the beginning for Wendy. While she knew she was providing basic goods for children, she realized that she was not providing one of the most important resources of all: food.
“Quality food helps kids heal.”
A few years later, Wendy extended Jose’s Closet to include a food pantry for families called ‘Emma’s Eats.’ The name is in honor of another foster child of Wendy’s. Emma passed away after 7 years of life. She had permanent brain damage from shaken baby syndrome by one of her biological parents. Wendy’s hope for Emma’s Eats is to supplement other food banks families may be relying on. 
“Kids who are in or have been a part of the system have often experienced trauma. A lot of that trauma is around food and hunger. I want to make sure that we are providing quality meals and experiences to help these kids heal and feel safe in their new homes.”
Her food pantry is designed around children and provides easy meals for kids to make themselves. In partnership with United Food Bank, Emma’s Eats is able to provide quality, consistent food to families who need it. Wendy goes the extra mile by making food boxes for kids to take home that includes snacks and full meals.
“I dont give someone pasta without also giving them a sauce. Alfredo is one of my favorites because the kids love the taste and it is high in calories. I dont give peanut butter without jelly and I always include bread or crackers with them.”
One foster mom, Melissa, shared her experience with the organization. “I was a new foster mom and completely overwhelmed; but going to Jose’s Closet felt like finding a family that truly cares. It is not just about the support of clothing and items to help the kiddos. I feel it’s more about the love and kindness every time you go.”
Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats Food Pantry are truly special places. From providing basic resources to building community, they always put kids first. Wendy explained that they are in desperate need of volunteers and are always looking for donations.
“We take our time to do things right. We need consistent volunteers to help us sort, organize, take inventory and with general maintenance. We rely on volunteers to make this center happen.”
“In terms of donations, we are always looking for more food. Peanut butter and jelly drives are always awesome. Think of things kids enjoy. We are always in need of gently used or new clothes, toys, books, sporting goods, diapers, or anything you have that you may think a family could use. Right now we are really struggling to keep men’s shorts and pants in stock.”
When you support United Food Bank, you support partner agencies like Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats to help provide meals to those who need it most. Consider donating today to be part of the mission of uniting communities to alleviate hunger.
Find out more ways to support Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats here
Written by Sarah Bathe
