School care closet

Through a desire to support students from all walks of life, with a variety of needs, and to eliminate outside stress on students so they can learn and thrive in education, the Cambridge-Isanti Schools Care Closets were developed.

Every school could use one of these.

“We want to strengthen our community, and schooling is just one aspect of that.”

Vanessa Bateman and Heather Malick headed up the formation of the closet of clothes, shoes and toiletries at Niota Elementary School, which has students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Students are able to browse food, clothes, and toiletries free from judgment.

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So teachers are stocking "hygiene pantries" in their classrooms to provide kids with essential personal care items.