When Jacob Sanwidis wife and 2-year-old son moved to Morgantown from the country of Burkina Faso, Sanwidi turned to West Virginia Universitys International HomeStart Closet.

At the time the closet was in its beginning stages, but Sanwidi was able to get towels, plates, sheets, clothes and other household items.

It was wonderful and very helpful. I had been here for a while, but when my family moved here from a place that was 100 degrees all the time they were not prepared for the winter. They needed a lot of clothes, and other items for the home,said Sanwidi, who is now in the educational leadership doctorate program at WVU .

Since the closet started in the summer of 2008, an estimated 45 students and their families have received items. Now, the closet is prepared to help an estimated 100 students and their families.

On Aug. 17, a full-scale opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for the HomeStart Closet. The ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. in room B16 of Eiesland Hall, where the closet is currently located.

Our mission is to create a welcoming environment for students arriving at West Virginia University from around the world through personal connection, information, assistance and events,said Lois Morris, HomeStart Closet coordinator.

WVU has approximately 1,400 international students, representing over 100 countries.

Items available at the closet are limited depending on donations. In the past, they have had sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, dishes, flatware, glasses, mugs, kettles, pots, pans, skillets, microwaves, coffee makers and rice cookers, among other things. Families that need additional services are referred to local organizations, such as Christian Help. The closets 10 active volunteers help to deliver items, solicit donations and assist students with orientation about the community, transportation and shopping.

The closet is a blessing for Julie Lohi, who moved to Morgantown in late 2007 from the Republic of Cte dIvoire in West Africa.

It is a very, very good program. They give you the things you need, especially dishes. When you have children like me, they very often break glasses or plates. I cannot afford to replace them all the time as needed, but the closet helps with that,said Lohi, who lives with her husband, 4-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son. Lohi is currently studying for her doctorate in economics.

The closet is run by the Office of International Students and Scholars, the Presidents Office for Social Justice and Women Across Cultures. It will be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. from Aug. 17- Sept. 2. Students, who cannot make it to the closet during those times, may call Morris for an appointment at 304-685-5632.

The program is always looking for donations and volunteers. Anyone interested in learning more can contact Morris at 304-685-5632.