WQBQ Talk Track: Supporting Local Families with The Care Closet

WQBQ Talk Track: Supporting Local Families with The Care Closet

On a recent episode of WQBQ’s Talk Track, the Mount Dora Area Chamber welcomed Angie Scullion and Ashley Fowler from The Care Closet—a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit making a direct and meaningful impact on families across Lake County.

At its core, The Care Closet exists to solve a problem that often goes unseen: children who have access to meals at school, but whose families still struggle to put food on the table at home. The organization was founded after Angie, while working as a substitute teacher, noticed students taking extra snacks—not for themselves, but for younger siblings who weren’t yet school-aged and therefore didn’t qualify for free breakfast or lunch.

That moment sparked something bigger.

A Simple Model with a Powerful Impact

The Care Closet operates with a focused and dignified approach. Rather than running a traditional food pantry, the organization partners directly with local schools—currently Sorrento Elementary and Altoona—to discreetly distribute food to families in need.

Each week, the team prepares and delivers approximately 48 food bags, designed to support a family of four. The schools then handle distribution, ensuring that students receive support privately, without stigma or attention.

“We’ve always believed that every child deserves respect and dignity,” Angie shared during the interview. That belief is reflected in their process—they don’t collect extensive personal data or require families to jump through hoops. If there’s a need, they respond.

Community-Driven, 100% Giving Back

As a nonprofit, The Care Closet is entirely volunteer-run. There are no salaries—every dollar raised goes directly toward feeding local families.

Operations are powered by a small but dedicated team, including Ashley, who serves as Operations Lead. From organizing donations to packing bags and coordinating deliveries, she ensures the program runs smoothly week after week.

The organization currently operates out of donated space at Superior Storage Solutions in Sorrento—a partnership that has allowed them to grow quickly as demand continues to increase.

Meeting a Growing Need

The need for services like The Care Closet is significant—and growing. Many families fall into a gap where they may not qualify for traditional assistance but still struggle to consistently provide meals.

The organization begins by working with “Families in Transition”—those experiencing housing instability—but expands support to any family identified by school guidance teams as needing help.

Looking ahead, growth is a priority—but it’s intentional. Angie emphasized that the team won’t expand into additional schools until they are confident they can sustain that support long-term.

“It’s a big promise to make,” she noted, “and we want to make sure we can keep it.”

How the Community Can Help

While financial donations are always welcome, The Care Closet emphasized that support comes in many forms.

For those unable to give monetarily, simply spreading awareness—sharing posts, talking about the organization, and helping connect them with potential partners—can make a meaningful difference.

One of their biggest current needs is consistent access to fresh produce, and they are actively seeking local partners who can help fill that gap.

A Mission Fueled by Heart

When asked what keeps her going, even through the challenges, Angie’s answer was simple: knowing how many children they’re able to feed each week.

That impact—quiet, consistent, and deeply personal—is what defines The Care Closet.

For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit thecarecloset.org or find them on Facebook.