06/15/2026
Introducing Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers’ Community Closet
Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) Outreach and Enrollment office has extended the resources it provides to community members in need by opening a “Community Closet” within its building at 630 Park Street, Honesdale, PA. Items from the closet can be picked up free of charge Monday thru Friday between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.
The closet’s inventory of gently used clothing got a jumpstart when Jaime Swanick, FNP, a nurse practitioner at the Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, informed Erin Carpenter, outreach and enrollment coordination for WMCHC, that a large amount of clothing was “up for grabs” through the Wallenpaupack Area School District. Every few years the district makes it their practice to donate unclaimed items from its Lost and Found. Carpenter took advantage of the opportunity.
“I had been eyeing a specific section in our building with a clothing closet as a dream for the space,” stated Carpenter. “With Jamie’s call that dream suddenly became a reality.”
With a carload of jackets, pants and sweatshirts from Wallenpaupack in her possession, Carpenter realized her next step was getting the extraordinary number of garments properly laundered. She turned to Steve Murray, owner of Spin Cycle Laundry in Honesdale for assistance. Murray, along with his staff, Steve and Jenny Faatz, conquered the enormous task and did it at no cost.
Murray says it was his “love of the community and commitment to always help out” that persuaded him to contribute to the start-up.
Also credited with giving the space more of a boutique look and feel, are Rebecca Mead, WMCHC outreach and enrollment coordinator and Barbara Korteling, outreach volunteer, who offered time and support to bring the project to completion.
Carpenter says the closet will only grow from here and that she will accept laundered donations of both adult and children’s clothing. To arrange for a drop off, contact her at 570-251-6554.
