South Jersey teen with tragic past trying to raise $165K to help those in need

As a  youngster, Katelyn Darrow learned firsthand about the kindness of others.

First, when she escaped along with her mother and two sisters from their abuser with only the clothes on their backs. And again several years later, when their Pitman home was damaged by a fire.

Since then, the South Jersey college student has been on a mission to give back to others in her community as a way to show her appreciation to those who assisted her family during the toughest times in their lives.

At age 12, Katelyn started the Angels of God Clothing Closet in Pitman in 2009, providing emergency food and clothing to needy families from across the region. More than 30,000 families have been helped.

"Giving back to others has been ingrained into me based on my own experiences," Darrow, now 19 and a sophomore in college, said Tuesday. "I'm really proud of it."

Recently, Angels of God expanded its community outreach to meet an ever-growing need. The nonprofit launched an ambitious campaign to purchase a building next door to its current location. The pantry currently rents the building, where it holds meetings and stores supplies.

So far, the nonprofit has raised about $15,000 toward the $165,000 purchase, with time running out, said Elissa Darrow, who manages the pantry while her daughter attends college on the West Coast. The owner has set a deadline of next Wednesday, but negotiations are underway for more time to raise the funds.

"You just have to pray," Elissa said.

Located in a storefront on a busy street, Angels of God opens its doors twice a week to needy families. The pantry is neatly stocked with basic nonperishable food items, snack bags, toiletries, infant formula and diapers, and bags of dog food.

In another section, there are rows of clothing categorized by size and gender -- from infant to adult. Some items are gently worn; others are brand-new with tags still attached.

"It's amazing, some of the stuff we get," Elissa Darrow said. "We try to be a one-stop shop."

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays — shopping days — clients are free to browse and pick up whatever they need, free of charge. They must be referred by a church, social service agency, shelter, or school.

"They're definitely true angels," said Dawn Elliott, 37, of Paulsboro, an out-of-work mother of two who visits the pantry about twice a month. "They're always there to lend a hand."

Katelyn said she chose the name Angels of God as a reminder of her journey. The pantry has no religious affiliation.

"During my tough times, I kept my faith and I thought that there was a higher power looking out for me and for all of us," she said. "Once we were back on our feet, I knew that I wanted to help others."

Around the pantry there are splashes of the color purple — for domestic violence awareness — along with inspirational messages. One reads, "The one who falls and gets up is so much stronger than the one who never fell."

As a young woman, Katelyn said, she can now better appreciate the personal struggles that some families face. It was harder to relate to when she was 12 and started the pantry with just a few bins of clothing, she said.

"It makes me want to go out and help everybody," said the student, who is majoring in broadcast journalism and nonprofit management.

Last summer, Mary Pat Christie, wife of the governor, recognized Katelyn and her nonprofit as a "New Jersey Hero."  She was also recognized as a young hero by the National Liberty Museum at its annual gala in 2012.

About 40 families visit the pantry weekly, according to Elissa Darrow. Some have escaped abusive situations with only the clothes on their backs, while others are homeless or simply struggling to make ends meet.

While Katelyn is away, Elissa runs the pantry along with a team of volunteers. Katelyn comes home for major events and remains active in the operation, managing its website and conducting telephone interviews with reporters.

If there is a special need, the volunteers rally to meet those requests. They have purchased a refrigerator for a once-homeless family that moved into a new home, bought a bed, and found a Superman costume to make a little boy's Halloween dream.

"Some people are living paycheck to paycheck," Elissa said. "They can't afford it."

A shelter recently turned to Angels of God to help a teenager who was unable to attend school after his only pair of sneakers was stolen, Elissa Darrow said. The pantry had a new pair, size 13, in its stockroom, she said.

"Within a matter of minutes, they came and brought him new sneakers," said Trenita Barnes, a child advocate and caseworker at the Camden County Women's Center, a domestic violence safe house. "They are always willing and able to help."

The volunteers make hundreds of baskets for nearly every holiday — from Halloween to Easter and birthday celebrations. There are also backpack drives and socks and underwear campaigns to start the school year and a prom-dress drive in the spring.

The pantry relies mainly on donations and volunteers who show up on weekends to sort and organize bags of goods. When supplies dwindle, Elissa posts a message via social media, and the response has been swift.

"It's all about giving back," said Kristy Zinni, 37, of Deptford, a volunteer regular.  "It's all about the kids for me."

On a recent afternoon, Joe Lamb, who owns a real estate business a few blocks away, dropped off about eight bags of winter coats. His office put up a sign, and donations poured in, he said.

"Random people would drop off coats," Lamb said. "We had a good turnout."

A short time later, Charles Swiatocha of Monroeville arrived unexpectedly with a truckload of dog food and treats from "A Voice for Paws," an animal-rights group in Gloucester County.

"If people have fallen on hard times, we like to give them food so they can keep their pets," Swiatocha said. "If the pet is in a good home, let's keep him there."

Acquiring the two-story building would allow the pantry to assist more families, offer more services, and keep its inventory on-site, Elissa Darrow said. The nonprofit currently rents storage space at several locations, she said.

Despite an uphill battle to raise the money needed for the expansion, Elissa Darrow said, she draws inspiration from the families served by Angels of God. Several fund-raisers are being planned.

"It gets to you sometimes — the stories you hear," Elissa said. It just makes you think how blessed you are."

For more information, visit www.angelsofgod.org or contact Angels of God Community Outreach, 334 S. Broadway, Pitman, N.J. 08071, 856-625-8652