Scrub Life Cares Launches “The Open Closet” Initiative at Fifth Annual Grow With The Flo Women & Girls’ Health Expo to Promote Dignity, Health Equity, and Sustainable Community Care
Scrub Life Cares, a public health nonprofit dedicated to advancing menstrual equity, comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education and holistic wellness, is proud to announce The Open Closet, a community-centered clothing initiative debuting at the upcoming Grow With The Flo Women & Girls’ Health Expo happening on May 23rd, 2026.
The Open Closet is a dedicated, welcoming space where attendees can browse, select, and take home clean, gently used, or new clothing at no cost. The initiative reflects Scrub Life Cares’ commitment to addressing health and social needs through dignity-affirming, community-based solutions.As a community-based public health organization, Scrub Life Cares has seen firsthand how access to appropriate clothing can influence confidence, emotional well-being, social participation, and overall quality of life.
The organization also recognizes the growing impact of clothing overproduction and textile waste, which contribute to environmental harm, resource depletion, and increased community burden through landfill overflow and pollution.
The Open Closet was created to address both realities—supporting individuals’ well-being while encouraging sustainable, community-centered giving.“Health is influenced by social, environmental, and economic conditions,” said Tanya Ambrose, Founder and CEO of Scrub Life Cares.
“The Open Closet allows us to respond to real community needs while also encouraging mindful giving. When individuals donate quality clothing instead of discarding it, they support both people and the planet.”The initiative operates as a give-and-receive model rooted in dignity, allowing attendees to freely choose clothing items they love and will wear without registration requirements or eligibility screening. This approach prioritizes autonomy, reduces stigma, and reinforces respect for individual choice.
### Community Donation Call
Scrub Life Cares is inviting individuals, businesses, and community partners to contribute:Clean, gently used clothing and shoesNew clothing itemsPieces in good condition that donors would feel comfortable wearing or sharing with loved onesDonations will be accepted through April 30, 2026, allowing time for sorting, quality checks, and preparation ahead of the Expo.
###### About the Grow With The Flo Women & Girls’ Health Expo
The Grow With The Flo Women & Girls’ Health Expo is an annual flagship initiative of Scrub Life Cares designed to advance health equity, education, and access to supportive resources for women, girls, and families across the lifespan.
Rooted in a holistic wellness framework, the Expo brings together health professionals, community organizations, educators, and advocates to provide interactive learning, screenings, resource navigation, and empowerment-centered programming that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Since its launch, the Expo has experienced steady growth in attendance, partnerships, and community reach, expanding from an intimate gathering of fewer than 100 participants to a large-scale community event serving hundreds annually.
This growth reflects both the urgent need for accessible, inclusive health spaces and the community’s trust in Scrub Life Cares’ evidence-informed, dignity-centered approach.
The addition of The Open Closet further strengthens the Expo’s mission by supporting whole-person wellness and recognizing that dignity, confidence, and access to basic necessities, including appropriate clothing, are essential components of health, participation, and quality of life.