How will I know when you are open or closed?

Occasionally, we are closed for the holidays or to restock or give our volunteers a break. When there are five Thursdays in a month, we often will be closed on the fifth Thursday. We list our closed dates on our Facebook page and our website, so if you ever have a question, check there for our hours.

Can I bring my children with me to shop?

Your children are always welcome to shop with you, and we love to see them! Keep in mind, the wait for services can sometimes be long for little ones, so bring something to occupy your child or make use of our library of books in the waiting area. You must supervise your children at all times. There are many people coming in and out of the free store, so it is not safe for children to be left unattended. Occasionally we leave activities out for children to color or play with while families shop, but one caregiver should always remain with your child at all times. 

Can my friend, neighbor, or family member shop for me?

To ensure we have enough supply for every family we serve, we do not typically allow members to shop for other members. If an occasional emergency or need arises where you are unable to shop but needing resources urgently, please email us to make a special request at info@littlebottoms.org.

Is there anything I can do to move through the waiting process faster?

Our staff and volunteers strive to make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible. We know sometimes the wait to access services can be long. Please keep in mind that coming later in the evening (after 7:15 PM) often tends to move you through the line faster than joining us immediately at opening. Also, if preferred you can skip the wait by opting-out of clothes that week. To shop for only diapers and wipes without a wait, let a volunteer know while signing in that you would like to only receive diapers and wipes. 

Some people arriving after me got to shop before me. Why? 

We understand this can be frustrating or confusing. Our waiting lines are organized by the room(s) you are shopping in. Each Thursday, we organize three separate waiting lines - one for each shopping room. We call families back by name when their specific room has a spot open. Sometimes that means a family shopping in a room with a shorter list moves through the process faster. We strive to move every family through the process as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience as you wait. If you ever are concerned your name has been missed, feel free to ask one of our volunteers to double-check and they will be happy to assist you. And, as always, please feel free to grab a book for your child from our library to keep children entertained and engaged while you wait.

Why do you have volunteers staffing every shopping room?

We provide personal shoppers to each family to help you free up your hands to shop, carry your items, and ensure each family receives the right number of items for their children.

When are your larger items in the basement available?

Occasionally, we open the downstairs to provide larger items (such as activity mats, bouncers, toys, baby swings, etc.) to our shoppers. We provide these items when we have enough supply for everyone, and enough volunteers available to staff the downstairs. Unfortunately, we do not have a predictable schedule at this point but usually it is open every 4-6 weeks. We will let you know at check-in if the downstairs is open.

What are your safety standards?

Safety is our number one priority. In order to maintain a high standard of service and provide a safe environment for our employees, volunteers, and member families, we occasionally may need to exercise our right to refuse or discontinue service to members. Read more about our safety policy here.

What should I do if I have a problem while shopping?

If you have a problem while shopping with us, please ask a volunteer to put you in touch with one of our leaders on-site to help. Alternatively, please feel free to reach out to us via email afterwards at info@littlebottoms.org