Caring DAM Hearts, a nonprofit organization providing free merchandise to less fortunate members of the community, will soon be celebrating the opening of its new location in Walnutport.

Caring DAM Hearts’ new location is 241 Lehigh Gap St., Walnutport, on Route 145 next to the Walnutport Post Office.

Denise Martinez, founder and CEO of Caring DAM Hearts said, “I’m so grateful to Pencor Services Inc. for leasing us this building. They will be great landlords. At our old location, Route 873 Slatington, the new landlord was going to double our rent. We had a month to find another suitable space.”

The new building has more room and is fully handicap accessible, including the bathroom.

“We have a quiet room for residents that need to give an account of their hardships and what items they need,” Martinez said. “We have everything someone may need to furnish an apartment including dishes, cookware, toiletries and clothing.”

She started the nonprofit in 2016 to help the homeless, veterans and the less fortunate through “random acts of kindness” and its free Caring Hearts stores, which provide clothing, hygiene products and household items.

“We are open to anyone in need. All items at our new location are totally free,” she said.

The Caring Hearts Thrift Boutique, South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown, and Caring Hearts Thrift Boutique inside the Slatington Marketplace, Route 873, Slatington, have items for sale that help fund the free closet in Walnutport.

“It took three and half hours with 27 volunteers to move everything including the shed, in the freezing cold to the new location,” Martinez said.

The storage shed for their overflow of items was moved to the new location by the Service Team in Palmerton for only $300, which is where it was purchased.

“Items being donated are divided into name brand, vintage, upscale, new with tags, and good quality,” Martinez explained. “We rely on volunteers for sorting donations, helping patrons and running events. We have had patrons in college needing scrubs for nursing school that were able to get them for free. It saved them a lot of money.”

Tim Pitts, the owner of Scoopendorf’s Ice Cream of Walnutport, has offered to purchase signs for the outside of the closet.

Martinez added: “Our organization works with six different agencies including judges that have offenders that need community service. We have so many opportunities for all kinds of issues that may happen to people. We offer love, encouragement, and resources to all in need.”

The new location can be found by the signature bears outside the building, which came with them from the old location.

They have Caring Hearts attire for sale, a fundraiser case with Country Meat Sticks and Gertrude Hawk candy bars through Easter.

On the outside of the building to the left of the door is a Blessing Box.

The closet in Walnutport is expected to be open Feb. 10.

“There is still lighting to be finished and sorting of many donations of items,” Martinez said. “The closet will have a Military Wall, community board for events and an in-memory-of board of donations and persons.

“My memorabilia of Hess’s Department Store will be found in the closet. This is in memory of my grandparents Jane and Alex Treskot. They would take me to Hess’s for strawberry pie, and I remember all the models that would walk around with the latest fashion.

“Many people have asked what DAM stands for. It is my initials, Denise Ann Martinez. I had to add it to Caring Hearts because that name was taken.

“Once we are up and running we hope to invite the area seniors from the different complexes and children from the area day cares on Mother’s Day so the children can pick a gift for their mom for free.”

The mission is simple: “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends.”