Before students can truly focus on learning, understanding, and using the information presented to them in classes each day, their basic needs, such as food, clothing/hygiene, and shelter, must be met. Local school districts are trying to help meet these needs for their students with their “Care Closets.”

Each local district, and usually each school within the district, has a Care Closet set up where students can come for supplies, such as hygiene products, clothing, and even food.

The United Way of Venango County is working to help supply items to our school district’s care closets. In August, the United Way delivered supplies to the Cranberry Area, Franklin Area, Oil City Area, and Valley Grove School Districts.

These supplies included:

• 240 bottles of shampoo and 240 bottles of conditioner
• 420 tubes of toothpaste and 1440 toothbrushes
• 132 bottles of mouthwash
• 996 packages of feminine hygiene products
• 384 bottles of deodorant
• 240 packages of laundry soap pods

Another supply distribution is being planned for January.

Needed items are determined by contact and surveys with the organizers of the Care Closets. The United Way then sources and purchases the products and delivers the items to each school district. Organizations or individuals who would like to help the United Way make a bigger impact may call (814) 676-6545 to make a monetary donation specifically for the Care Closet program.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s December 2019 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.