SLIDESHOW: Sebring Local Schools expands free resources through Care Closets for students, families
1/6
Sebring Local Schools has significantly expanded its free resource offerings to better support students and families such as clothing, hygiene products and more available to those in need at each of its buildings.
This year, B.L. Miller Elementary's Care Closet has expanded and moved into classrooms that creates a space resembling a small store.
The Care Closet offers a one-stop shop for students and families to access items at their convenience such as clothes, shoes, socks, boots, coats, accessories, hygiene products and even laundry detergent.
Staff from AmeriCorps VISTA at the YMCA visit regularly to help organize and restock the closet ensuring it remains well-supplied with new and gently-used items donated by families and businesses.
Additionally, a personal care station is set up with hygiene products as well as a diaper bank to support families with young children, which was sponsored by Project MCK.
During the holiday season, donations poured in including a generous contribution from the Sebring Elks Lodge 1529 that has supported the purchase of winter clothing for both the Trojan Care Closet at B.L. Miller Elementary and McKinley.
"We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with the YWCA of Alliance and for the generous support from our community," said Jill Dennis, Family Engagement Coordinator for Sebring Local Schools.
She continued, "We've seen a wonderful cycle of giving, where families who have received help from the Care Closet are now donating clothes and items to support others in need. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and our community has proven time and time again how strong that village is."
The Care Closet is open during the school day Monday through Friday or by appointment if needed outside of school hours.
The growth of the Clothing Closet at Sebring McKinley Jr./Sr. High school has also doubled in size last year, as it continues to provide essential products to students in grades 7 through 12.
The Junior High Student Senate opens the Clothes Closet once a week during enrichment class and after school on Thursday, allowing students to "shop" up to three free items per visit.
Since opening in February 2023, the Clothes Closet has distributed thousands of items, thanks to all donations from local families, businesses, the district's board of education and the school community.
"It's been incredible to watch how much the program has grown in just two years," said Junior High School Advisor Lori DeHoff.
She continued, "The donations keep pouring in, and our student volunteers help with everything from organizing to tracking the items we distribute. We couldn't do this without them."
Both closets from B.L. Miller Care Closet and Sebring McKinley Clothes Closet have been crucial resources to the district.
Sebring Local Schools encourages anyone who would like to contribute to these initiatives to consider donating gently used or new clothing, hygiene products, or financial support to continue expanding these efforts.
For more information about the Sebring McKinley Clothes Closet, or would like to contribute, you can call the Sebring High School.