Nestled in a charming house at the end of Monroe Avenue lies Betty’s House, a volunteer-run foster care closet. Betty’s House was founded in 2022 by the Sanazaro family to honor their mother, Betty Sanazaro, whose love for children and families left a lasting impact. Today, her legacy continues through a foster care closet created to meet urgent needs with compassion, dignity and care.

The house was originally intended to help foster children and families who have adopted foster children, but has since opened its doors to other families in need.

Jenny Horsefield, the director of Betty’s House, said that the house now takes referrals from the Crawford County Children’s Division, Cuba Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, Lifeline Pregnancy Care Center and the school care closets in Cuba, Bourbon and Steelville schools.

Resources at the facility include clothing for infants through teens, shoes, coats, backpacks, accessories, diapers, wipes, hygiene items, blankets, books, toys, comfort items and emergency placement kits.

Betty’s House operates on donations from local community members and organizations. Donations are welcome Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of the month.

They accept clothing sizes newborn through adult 3X, gently used or new shoes, baby items, coats and seasonal wear, backpacks and bags, hygiene and personal care items, blankets, books, crib sheets and comfort items. They do not accept used underwear or socks, used car seats or soiled, stained or damaged items.

Terry Riley, a volunteer and lead organizer at Betty’s House, said that they encourage community members in need to continually use them as a resource if needed, not just a one-time relief facility.

“We want to be a continual resource, not just a place where people come once during emergencies,” Riley said.

Horsefield added that she’s hoping to continue the growth and reach of Betty’s House.

  “I want more people to access it. Right now we’re really working on partnering with other agencies that are working with families, so that we get the word out,” Horsefield said.

“Basically, I want to do the one thing we’re not doing yet, and hopefully this year we can help organize a support group for foster and adoptive families. We want to do that here, and we want to help the older youth. “

Horsefield and Riley gave a tour of Betty’s House Aug. 25 to members of the Crawford County Foundation, who expressed their appreciation of the facility to the pair before the tour ended.

“What y’all are doing here is amazing and is a huge asset to the community,” one member said.

“This place is so warm and welcoming. It feels refreshing walking in. I’m sure this helps calm the nerves of anyone who walks in needing help,” another member said.

Later that day, the Crawford County Foundation announced in a Facebook post that they have partnered with Betty’s House and its support of the community.

“Betty’s House was created to provide much-needed supplies and support for families right here in our community, and CCF is proud to be a partner in helping bring this resource to Crawford County,” the social media post read.

For those interested in assisting Betty’s House through means other than donating items, they are looking for help sorting and organizing donations, stocking shelves and clothing racks, helping during open closet hours, delivering donations, assisting with fundraising events, and supporting school-based care closets.

More information about Betty’s House is on the Betty’s House Facebook page or at Bettyshousecrawfordcounty.com.

Those who have questions or are interested in volunteering are encouraged to reach out by Facebook message on the Betty’s House page.