Alice’s Closet: Woman turns grief into lifeline for Pamplico’s elderly
PAMPLICO, S.C. (WBTW) — In rural communities, access to essential medical supplies can be difficult, especially for elderly residents who may not have the means or resources to acquire them.
In the small town of Pamplico, one woman's grief has sparked a community effort to close that gap.
Laura Walkup started Alice's Closet after her mother passed away, leaving her with an excess of medical supplies, including walkers, wheelchairs, and other disposable items. Rather than throw them away, Walkup saw an opportunity to honor her mother's legacy and help her neighbors by creating a program that provides these items for free.
"I knew that with my experience as a paramedic going into patients' homes, there was a lot of need in our community, and sometimes that need wasn't being met because of financial reasons," Walkup said.
Alice's Closet operates through a partnership with Pamplico United Methodist Church and Pamplico Rescue Squad. The program collects and distributes reusable medical equipment, such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, and loans them out to those in need.
It's a simple system: borrow the equipment, use it, and return it when you're done so someone else can benefit.
"We're just trying to help people who may not be able to get these items through Medicare or insurance or who need something in a pinch but can't afford it," Walkup said.
Beyond reusable items, Alice's Closet also offers disposable supplies like adult diapers, wipes and other toiletry products. These items can quickly become a significant financial burden for families caring for elderly loved ones.
"A pack of adult diapers can range anywhere from $40," Walkup said. "That's expensive, and you could go through more than one pack a week."
As the only grocery store in Pamplico prepares to shut its doors, Walkup sees an even greater need for Alice's Closet. With limited local resources, many residents will soon have to travel farther to find essential supplies.
"Because in our small community, the only source for that soon will be the Dollar General, and they may not have what they need," she said. "So, they're going to have to travel a distance to get it, if they're even able to leave their person long enough to go."
As businesses close, Alice's Closet may expand its offerings to include other essentials, but for now, the program remains focused on meeting the critical medical needs of the community.
"We just want to fill a gap that's needed," Walkup said.
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Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here .
