Poverty in the community isn’t always visible, so many students suffer quietly. Every student should have access to the basic needs of life so that they can focus on their education.
At Mineral Wells ISD, approximately 70 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This means that most of the student body struggles to overcome many of the things taken for granted by others such as access to clothes, school supplies, personal hygiene products and many other simple necessities.
With the help of the Mineral Wells Rotary Club, a Ram Care Closet was created last year by the MWHS Interact Club to help serve MWHS and MWJH students whose families are struggling financially and in need of a little extra help with obtaining daily necessities. Space became an issue for the supplies, so the students had to come up with a better concept.
A cabinet was donated to the club and the students raised money to have it wrapped and stocked. The new Ram Care Closet was positioned in the back of the MWJH school library (a central location) for ease of access and so students use of the closet could remain confidential. It is available to all students and designed so that students can discreetly take what they need from the shelves.
Interact students have already received generous donations from outside organizations like Mineral Wells Rotary, Zonta Club and most recently from a Women’s Bible Study group at FBC. The MWHS Z-Club is partnering with the Interact Club to have another cabinet wrapped and stocked for the high school. With the community’s help, the shelves have been able to stay stocked with donated items.
Donations are gladly being accepted. Contact Interact Club Sponsor Karyn Bullock at kbullock@mwisd.net or call (940) 325-6404 ext. 5108 with any questions you may have about donating or drop off your donations at the MWISD District Service Center at 906 SW 5th Ave., Mineral Wells.
Items currently stocked include:
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Soap and body wash.
• Deodorant.
• Hand lotion.
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes.
• Mouthwash.
• Floss.
• Chapstick.
• Combs and hairbrushes.
• Ponytails.
• Kleenex.
• Cotton balls.
• Feminine products.
• Razors (available in nurse’s office).