In early spring of this year, a new program began to support student hygiene and personal health. This initiative is the Hygiene Closet, a community-funded project that allows students to get hygiene products for free.
“The closet was started after we saw a need from students that did not have consistent access to items such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shaving items, Q-tips, etcetera,” Danielle Irby, Benton Central’s therapist and counselor, stated when asked about how the Hygiene Closet started.
Students can obtain free products including toothbrushes, body wash, feminine hygiene products, and even detergent through the Hygiene Closet. All students have to do is fill out a Google form and they are called out of the classroom to receive the items they requested. The whole process prioritizes confidentiality, and students’ needs are not shared with outside sources.
“The closet opened last Spring and was filled by community members…” Irby replied regarding the ”community-funded” aspect. “The donations from the community were much more than we ever expected, and we are very grateful,”
The Student Services Department, Nursing Department, and Helping Hands support the Hygiene Closet so that students can get the hygiene supplies they may need.”We believe the more the student can focus on academics and the less on necessities, the more successful the student will be in the academic setting,” Irby stated in an interview.
The Hygiene Closet’s ultimate goal is to supply students with the hygiene products they need so that they can have one less thing to worry about. If you require hygiene supplies you cannot get yourself, please fill out the Google form here.
