People are clumsy, accidents happen. Yet, spilling coffee on new clothes no matter how sorry somebody else is, leaves people grumpy for the day. Walking around with a stain is embarrassing, and it feels as though with every interaction, people point out the coffee stain.
The Community Closet not only exists for this reason, to give clothing to students with short-term needs, but is used to help students who come from low-income households. The closet is in the science teacher’s lounge. It stocks clothing, hygiene products, school supplies and occasionally snacks for students in need; the closet is open to everybody.
“I’ve had some kids be really grateful. I’ve had some kids that are new to country. And you know, startup costs. Moving normally is expensive, but startup costs to country like just they were so appreciative of getting like shampoo and conditioner and deodorant and socks and just all those things that add up,” counselor Liz Nelson explained.
Recently, the closet has been overflowing; the school regularly gets donations from churches, families and staff. As of this year, too many donations have come in. With the limited space at the school, staff have had a hard time sorting through items and being able to give them to students in need.
“It’s heartbreaking to tell them, we can’t take more donations; but the reality is we have limited space. And so in order to continue to make it accessible when you walk into the space, we have to reduce our inventory,” Becky Hopper counselor and organizer of the Community Closet said.
From this problem, the clothing rack emerged. Located just outside the Black Pony Center, the clothing rack hangs up clothes for anyone to take. The goal is to both reduce inventory in the Community Closet and bring awareness to the closet’s resources. Nelson often watches the rack, and restocks it as it is placed right next to her Pony Center.
Nelson explained moving the rack to different places in the hallway is the main method of promotion to catch students’ eyes because she felt “it pops for kids again.”
The rack also helps students feel less pressured asking for help, they can just take the clothing they need. Although teachers are often supportive, it can be hard to ask for help procuring basic goods. Low-income living is not a common topic in school and can make a student feel outcasted.
Alex Sheil* explained asking people for help with finances is very intimidating, but the more you get to know the staff personally, it gets easier and easier to reach out.
Hopper explained privacy is one of the core values of the Community Closet. QR codes can be scanned anonymously and filled out with anything a student may need. When people come to the closet in person, Hopper gives students privacy to avoid feelings of surveillance or judgement of one’s situation.
Sheil said the school should bring the Community Closet into the light, let students know of its resources. These are the topics that should be covered in class, to help people know the community is there to help and not alienate students that come from lower income homes.
Next fall, Hopper and Nelson plan to promote the Community Closet in different ways and hope to continue receiving donations. But, student needs can’t wait until next fall, the Closet should be known as of now.
“I guess the way people can help is if they know of friends or fellow students that are in need to talk to their counselor. And we’ll find a way to help them out,” Nelson said.
*Name has been changed to protect the individual’s identity.
