At USD 322, we believe supporting children means looking beyond the classroom. Our Caring Closet helps remove barriers that can make it difficult for students to learn, participate, and feel confident at school. We continue to see increasing needs among the families and students we serve as the cost of everyday necessities rises. Our Caring Closet provides food for families experiencing hardship, clothing, PE and everyday shoes, socks, hygiene products, and other essential items. We also help families replace broken or lost glasses when insurance will not yet cover a new pair. These may seem like small things, but to the child who needs them, they can make a tremendous difference. 

The Caring Closet also allows us to respond to needs that arise throughout the school year. We replenish classroom snacks after the supplies families provide at the beginning of the year run out, and we help teachers provide items for individual student needs, including noise-canceling headphones, headphones for iPad learning, feminine hygiene products, and other supplies that help students successfully access their education. We also purchase food, including perishable items when possible, to supplement community donations and help families prepare nutritious, complete meals at home. 

Every donation we receive helps us serve our students and families above and beyond what our school can provide through regular resources. It allows us to say, “Yes, we can help,” when a family needs food, a child needs shoes, a student breaks their glasses, or a teacher recognizes that a student needs something extra to succeed. Each donation helps us keep these resources available and provide support with dignity and compassion. The Caring Closet is truly a reflection of our community. Local businesses, families, organizations, and individuals come together because they believe in our children. 

When we meet a basic need, we are doing more than providing an item—we are helping a child walk into school with confidence, focus on learning, and know that their community cares about them. Thank you for helping us continue to create a school community where every student has what they need to learn, participate, and thrive.