Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care Loan Closet Has Moved
Community Resource Relocates After Half a Century of Service
The Loan Closet continues to be a valuable service that provides medical equipment free of charge to the Santa Barbara community.
The Loan Closet, which lends basic medical devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and bathroom safety equipment to more than three thousand Santa Barbara residents annually, opened in 1951. Thomas M. Storke, then publisher and editor of the Santa Barbara News-Press, broke his leg and was in need of a wheelchair. He discovered just how expensive it was to rent a wheelchair and other medical equipment around town, and questioned how the average family could afford such an expense for equipment that is commonly used very briefly after an injury, surgery or similar circumstance. Inspired by his experience, Storke began the News-Press Christmas Fund to solicit donations for an informal Loan Closet.
Now, over half a century later, the Loan Closet continues to loan critical equipment and provide an essential service for members of the community, allowing VNHC to fulfill its promise to be there when you need them most.
The Loan Closet is completely supported through private contributions, often from individuals who have benefitted from this unique program. Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care remains committed to providing this vital community service. If you would like to support this effort, click here for our Secure Online Giving Form. The Loan Closet is open Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm to those in need. For questions regarding the Loan Closet, and its relocation, please contact (805) 690-6235 or loancloset@vnhcsb.org.