ABOUT US
Our Story
Foster Care Essentials (FCE) began in February 2022 as a heartfelt mission when Sharon Bryant, inspired by a similar program in Western Massachusetts, felt compelled to make a difference. When someone said, “Somebody should do something like that in Central Massachusetts.” Sharon knew she needed to be that someone. Sharon reached out to Melissa Mercon Smith for support. Together, on a Sunday afternoon around a kitchen table, they turned their vision into reality, and FCE was brought to life.
Having grown up in foster care, Sharon deeply understands the transformative impact of a supportive foster home. “My success as an adult is largely because I had access to the essentials needed to thrive: food, shelter, and clothing. Co-founding FCE has given me the chance to give back and help ensure that children in foster and kinship care have the resources they need to succeed.”
FCE’s vision is both straightforward and profound: to ensure every child in foster or kinship care has the essentials to navigate life with comfort and dignity. As seasons change and children grow, FCE is committed to growing with them — always ready to lend support. This dedication is reflected in our motto: “If we have it, you can have it. If we don’t have it, we’ll get it.”
Mission
We provide essentials, at no charge, to families that care for children in foster/kinship care. Essentials include clothing, toys, diapers, school supplies, and personal hygiene products.
Vision
To ensure that every child in foster & kinship care has access to the essentials they need to thrive, empowering families to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment.
Meet the Co-Founder
Sharon Bryant, Co-Founder and CEO of Foster Care Essentials, is a resident of Franklin, MA, and a former foster child who deeply understands the importance of nurturing foster homes. She knows that providing essential items can ease the burden on foster parents and families, allowing them to focus on what truly matters — creating a supportive and loving home for the children in their care.
Foster children deserve stability, care, and dignity. Sharon’s unwavering passion for supporting foster families in the surrounding communities is the driving force behind Foster Care Essentials. Her vision and dedication ensure that these families have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Meet the Board
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Melissa Mercon Smith, Co-Founder
Melissa Mercon Smith spent her career caring for and educating generations of children. Holding advanced degrees, she blended enrichment, education, social-emotional development, adventure learning, and the arts to inspire students to embrace challenges. Recently retired, Melissa continues to consult and facilitate professional development, focusing on furthering FCE’s mission through outreach, program development, and essentials distribution.
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Joyce Bardol
Joyce Bardol grew up in Franklin, MA where she taught middle school for 32 years before retiring to her house on the lake in Wrentham. She is a mother of 3 and grandmother to 5 and loves being a part of Foster Care Essentials.
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Maria Stahl
Maria Stahl, J.D., is Chief Legal Officer at Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of AstraZeneca. With nearly 30 years of experience as a corporate attorney and general counsel, she has held leadership roles at multiple biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, supporting boards and executive teams.
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Dorene Calmus
Dorene Calmus is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with nearly 50 years of experience. She holds a Master’s in Social Work and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Therapy. Her work includes roles in the Sexual Abuse Investigation Network (SAIN) and the UMass Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. Dorene has been in private practice for seventeen years and is trained in EMDR therapy.
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Stephanie Brown
Stephanie Brown is a creative hairstylist, content creator, and social media manager. She engages a wide audience through Foster Care Essentials' social media and teaches hairstyling and social media classes. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and exploring the outdoors in New England. Whether behind the chair or online, Stephanie brings passion and balance to all she does.
What We Do
At Foster Care Essentials, our goal is simple: to provide essentials to families that care for children in foster and kinship care. We understand the unique challenges these families face, and we’re here to make sure they have the essentials needed to create safe and nurturing environments for the children in their care. Our services are designed to relieve the financial strain by offering essentials—completely free of charge.
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![A child looking at camera wearing a jacket]()
Clothing
We provide children in foster/kinship care with clothing, ensuring they are comfortable and ready for any occasion. We offer a range of size options starting at 2T and up.
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![Various Footwear sitting on shoe boxes]()
Footwear
Every child deserves to walk confidently and comfortably. We provide quality footwear to foster and kinship care families, ensuring every step supports growth, play, and belonging.
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![Hygiene kits]()
Diapers & Hygiene Products
We offer essentials like diapers, personal hygiene items, and toiletries to help families manage daily care needs with dignity.
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![School supplies]()
School Supplies
Ensuring children in foster/kinship care are equipped to succeed, we offer backpacks, notebooks, and other learning materials to help them thrive in the classroom.
We support families by providing them with the essentials they need to focus on what matters most—caring for the children. We partner with social services and other community organizations to ensure that every family receives the support they deserve, all while promoting compassion, dignity, equity, and generosity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Families caring for children in foster care or kinship care are eligible for our services. This includes licensed foster parents, kinship caregivers, and relative caregivers who are raising children.
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We provide essentials like clothing (sizes 2T and up), footwear, hygiene products, school supplies, and diapers. Items are distributed based on availability, the children’s age and size, and your specific needs
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Families in foster care or kinship care can access our services by scheduling a shopping appointment. Call us at 774-248-4139 or email us at fostercareessentials@gmail.com to set up a time to visit. This ensures we can assist you efficiently and help you find what your family needs.
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Yes, we do! For emergencies, please call or text us at 774-248-4139.
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We accept donations by appointment to ensure we can process and organize items properly. Please call us at 774-248-4139 to schedule a drop-off time. Please visit our Walmart wish list at www.walmart.com/sparkgood#find-local-cause. Your generosity makes a difference for families in need!
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Our donations come from generous individuals, local businesses, and community partners who care about supporting children in foster or kinship care. Some items are new, while others are gently used.
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We accept new or gently used items like clothing (starting from size 2T for shirts, pants, jackets, and footwear) and school supplies. For hygiene reasons, undergarments, diapers, and hygiene products need to be brand new and still in their original packaging.
We are unable to accept items such as furniture, bedding, car seats, suitcases, stuffed animals, cribs, or strollers.
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While foster families may receive stipends to help cover a child's expenses, these funds often fall short of covering the full cost of raising a child—especially during times of transition or when unexpected needs arise. Additionally, kinship caregivers (such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles raising children) often do not have access to the same financial support or services as licensed foster families. Donations bridge the gap, ensuring that children in care have what they need to thrive.