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Midvale Journal

Midvalley Elementary Student Comfort Closet provides supplies for students

Oct 03, 2017 03:40PM ● By Jana Klopsch

Eagle Scout candidates helped supply a comfort closet at Midvalley Elementary. (Midvalley Elementary)

Three area Boy Scouts saw the vision of school administrators and took the lead in gathering supplies for a new Student Comfort Closet at Midvalley Elementary.

“These Boy Scouts realized the need of our community and could help as part of their Eagle projects,” said Midvale Principal Tamara Baker. “We have a 61 percent poverty rate and we want our students to feel comfortable and if we can provide them things like underwear and socks that makes them feel comfortable, then this is something our community should do.”

Already this school year, several students have received backpacks and school supplies.

“One sibling was given some crayons and was surprised when we said they could be kept. We were told they were the first crayons the child ever owned. We want to help kids continue learning after they walk out our door,” she said.

In addition, Baker said she has concerns about students eating during the weekends.

“Many of our students eat meals here and we worry about them not having food over the weekends so we’ve stocked up on shelf-stable items such as peanut butter, granola bars and cereal. It’s unthinkable to think of kids having nothing to eat,” she said.

There are other items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, towels and similar items.

Each of the Boy Scouts took responsibility for finding items for the closet and a fourth Scout created benches in the office to welcome patrons.

“We will continue to look for youth groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, high school groups who want to give service to the community to help us keep our shelves stocked,” she said.

Baker said that students and their families just need to approach the Student Comfort Closet coordinator Polly Gallman for assistance with clothing, food and school supplies.

“We have it and we want to share. They can come during the school day. We want to keep them here, comfortable, and learning,” she said.