Kindness Closet

  • Location
    Benson, Arizona
  • Status
    Active
  • Age Level
    5 to 7 Years
    8 to 10 Years

The Problem

An important focus of this project is for students to be aware of the socio-economic challenges we have in our community, and to find ways to help address the needs associated with those challenges. We have a large population of low-income families who cannot afford the necessities to survive such as food, clothing, and shelter. Fourteen percent of our population in Benson live at or below the poverty level and over 50% of students qualify for free/reduced school lunch. Many students arrive to school in clothing that is too small because they have outgrown it, or too large because it is handed down from friends or family and they have not grown into it yet. Students wear shoes that are worn out or do not fit, they are not dressed appropriately for the weather, or do not have a jacket, etc. It is sad to see young children go without necessities. We even have students arrive to school without undergarments because their families cannot afford to purchase them. We are also looking to provide basic hygiene products as well.

Our Plan

This year, one of our largest projects is creating a hygiene closet in partnership with our health office. This project would provide clothing, jackets, shoes, and hygiene items for students at our school that cannot afford them. This project is innovative because there is nothing like it at our school. The health aide has a few supplies for students, but they often are the wrong size, she runs out quickly, or students are too embarrassed to ask for what they need. This program will address those issues and have a system for monitoring inventory so we do not run out and students have access to what they need, when they need it, in a private fashion that will not affect their emotional well-being.

Themes Addressed

  • term icon
    Community
  • term icon
    Economic Issues
  • term icon
    Kindness
  • term icon
    Poverty & Equity

The Benefit

  • term icon
    People
About Roots & Shoots

We are nurturing the compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

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