Clean clothes or a new pair of shoes bring joy to Plant City’s homeless residents.
Melanie Pass-Park, a clinical nurse coordinator at HCA Florida Plant City Emergency, part of HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, recognized the need to serve the homeless patients treated at the hospital five years ago when a young woman came into the Emergency Room, her tattered shoes held together with rubber bands.
“I asked her what her shoe size was and went and bought her a pair of shoes,” said Pass-Park, a sixth generation Plant Citian. The patient, grateful for new footwear, left the E.R. and never returned but the experience sparked a passion to help those who didn’t have the means to help themselves. “Plant City is my home, this is my community, and it brings me joy to not only provide care, but comfort to the patients we care for,” said Pass-Park.
She started bringing in more items of clothing for men, women and children in all sizes. Fellow caregivers noticed and became inspired by her efforts to provide for the community. They followed her lead and began bringing in their own donations. Before long, there were stacks of clothes and shoes. Her manager, Derika Graham, located an empty storage room where the supplies could be stored. Shelving was installed and a medic made labels for each storage bin. The space was aptly named Mel’s Care Closet. Pieces of clothing are pulled from the closet on a daily basis. “Somebody needs something every day,” she said. “I go through socks like you wouldn’t believe, every homeless person needs a pair of socks.”
Nobody has ever turned down her offer of clothing. She recollects one man who came in by ambulance. “I could tell he was depressed and his clothes were really dirty,” she said. “I asked if he needed some clothes and after showering and putting on the clothes he left before seeing a doctor,” she said. “He just needed a little self-esteem.”
Pass-Park, who has served as a caregiver in the HCA Florida Brandon Hospital community for more than 35 years, said not all patients who need clothing are homeless. Last week a child came into the ER with a torn shirt and worn shoes. “I asked him if he’d like a pair of shoes and a shirt and they brightened his day,” she said.
Pass-Park’s charity and compassion isn’t lost on her manager. “Melanie is a leader known to provide a higher quality of care with a commitment to do what is right,” said Graham. “With that quality of care comes kindness that Melanie shares with the homeless community in Plant City.”
While Pass-Park’s nearing retirement (her 40th anniversary with HCA is within a few days of reaching full social security retirement age), Mel’s Clothes Closet will continue to help patients at HCA Florida Plant City for years to come. She’s thankful for the career that has made her aware of the homeless population. “I was born into a family that had a home and went to church on Sunday and I would never have known this culture existed if I hadn’t become a nurse,” she said. “When I retire I want to spend my time continuing to serve this community, specifically the homeless.”
Mel’s Care Closet is always in need of clothing. The greatest need is socks and men’s and children’s clothing. Donations should be new items with tags. For information on how to donate items to Mel’s Care Closet, contact Graham at Derika.Graham@hcahealthcare.com.
