New Haveners in need of wheelchairs, bath seats, walking sticks and more can now borrow those supplies for just a dollar from a Whalley Avenue pharmacy, thanks to a newly opened outpost of a medical equipment charity.
That organization is called Mae’s Closet. On Monday, the group opened a new medical equipment-lending site at True-Care Pharmacy at 1300 Whalley Ave.
“Anyone with a need for Durable Medical Equipment may borrow items from Mae’s Closet,” Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers Executive Director Daniel Camenga told the Independent by email Monday. “This assumes the inventory is available to match their specific need.”
He said that the new location at True-Care accommodates walk-in requests. ” Alternatively, community members may schedule a pick up time from our Hamden based operations.”
See below for the full email press release announcing Monday’s opening of the Whalley Avenue Mae’s Closet location.
Press Release: Greater New Haven Non-Profit Mae's Closet Expands Service and Makes Medical Equipment Affordable for All
With Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers’ support, Mae’s Closet, with locations in Hamden and now in New Haven, lends vital medical equipment to those in need, including seniors, citizens with different abilities, and injury victims. In addition to helping those with long-term medical needs, this essential service makes costs more affordable. Mae’s Closet has just opened its brand-new satellite location at True-Care Pharmacy located at 1300 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, CT.
Staffed by volunteers, Mae’s Closet offers a wide variety of durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs, bath seats, walkers, and more. Contact Mae’s Closet at 475 – 414-8333 or by email at [email protected] from 9 am to noon, Monday through Friday.
Mae’s Closet is expanding their efforts by opening a satellite location in New Haven. Having an additional location makes medical equipment accessible and expands the numbers of people benefiting from renting DME for just a dollar.
Marilyn Bergen of Mae’s closet co-coordinator says: “This expansion with True-Care Pharmacy will allow more folks to benefit from Mae’s Closet in their own neighborhood. It’s wonderful to support True-Care’s service model.”
IVCG’s Director Dan Camenga says: “This new location for Mae’s Closet marks an important milestone for our durable medical equipment program and deepens IVCG’s commitment to local seniors. We are thankful for True-Care Pharmacy’s partnership in advancing care for some of our most vulnerable neighbors and we salute the growing community of volunteers that make Mae’s Closet possible.”
Manish Garg, True-Care representative says: “True-Care Pharmacy is at the forefront of delivering personalized services, and with our collaboration with Mae’s Closet, we are now offering durable medical equipment. This service is available to the community who needs supplies such as wheelchairs, commodes, and walking sticks but cannot afford them or are not covered by their insurance. We are thankful to Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers for supporting the vision of True-Care Pharmacy to make the community healthy and healthcare affordable to all.”
For donations and to support the Mae’s Closet inventory or general operations, please contact the Mae’s Closet volunteer team directly: 475 – 414-8333 or [email protected].
This is great. I recently had foot surgery and needed a knee walker and crutches. Mae's Closet was wonderful - a lending library for what I needed. For injuries, you only need these things for a limited period of a time. Reuse of this equipment is cheaper and more sustainable. And I might have found a new pharmacy in the process!