Morgantown Closet Welcomes International Students Home

Imagine arriving in a new country for college with just two suitcases and finding an empty apartment waiting for you. That's the reality for many international students at West Virginia University, but a local nonprofit is making sure no one starts their American journey sleeping on the floor.

The Homestart Closet welcomes students from around the world by giving them the essentials needed to turn a bare apartment into a real home. The program provides free furniture, bedding, pots, pans, and other household basics to international students settling in Morgantown.

The organization runs entirely on volunteer power and community donations. Volunteers organize donated items, make deliveries to student apartments, repair furniture, and staff the closet during open hours.

Right now, the program needs more hands to keep up with demand. They're looking for people who can help sort donations, transport items, or fix up furniture pieces. The commitment is flexible and fits around most schedules.

Community members can also support the mission by donating items collecting dust in their homes. Blankets, comforters, sheets, cookware, and furniture are especially needed. Cash donations help cover truck rentals for deliveries and fill gaps in inventory.

The Ripple Effect

When international students feel welcomed from day one, they bring their full energy to campus and community life. They form deeper connections with local residents, succeed academically, and often stay in the area after graduation. A simple donated couch or set of dishes sends a powerful message that Morgantown is glad they're here.

The program is sponsored by WVU's Office of Campus and Community Life but thrives because of everyday people who give their time and resources. It's community building in its most practical form.

Interested volunteers can complete an application form online. For questions about volunteering or donating, contact Liz Finklea at Liz.Finklea@gmail.com or 304-685-8312, or Skylar Braithwaite at Skylar.Braithwaite@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-5611.

Every donated lamp or set of dishes helps someone from across the world feel a little more at home.