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A school closet at the Montezuma-Cortez Middle School does more than just store jackets or extra school supplies. This closet, started by school resource officer Karla Ross, is there to help students who need basic necessities.
The idea of starting the closet came when Ross read an article about a similar idea in The Journal of School Safety. This article caused Ross to think about her work with Shop With A Cop and how some students choose to buy things such as food and basic necessities rather than toys or presents.
“I got tired of watching kids purchase food and basic life necessities when it was for fun to buy presents,” Ross said.
After a conversation with middle school Principal Drew Pearson, Ross turned her office at the school into a closet to store necessities students can access whenever they need to. Some of the necessities Ross noted were shirts, pants, underwear, hoodies, jackets, shoes, soap, deodorant, shampoo and menstrual period supplies.
“If we do not have an item, all they have to do is ask and I will find the item,” Ross said.
Ross and CMS nurse Kay run the closet together.
“If a student needs something, they just need to ask Nurse Kay, myself or really anyone with a key to open the door and they are free to take whatever they need,” Ross said.
While there is only one official closet, the one at the middle school, school nurses at Kemper Elementary and Mesa Elementary have items in their offices that students can access. She hopes to add a closet at the high school in 2025.
“We had some volunteers come forward and offer to put up shelving at the high school, so I hope to have a closet in my office at the high school before the end of the school year,” Ross said.
Donations and help from others keep the closet stocked.
Ross said the congregation of The United Methodist Church recently donated $525 for supplies. The Salvation Army Thrift Store and the Methodist Thrift Store have also donated items in the two years of the closet’s existence.
A grant of $4,000 was provided by the LOR Foundation.
While gently used and washed clothes can be donated, Ross noted they take only new and unused underwear donations.
“We were able to purchase new underwear for all the schools, because that’s where I draw the line on used clothes,” Ross said. “It has to be new underwear; everything else can be washed.”
Any student in need of an item in the closet is welcome to utilize it.
“I just want every student/family to know, they do not need to feel embarrassed to come and get whatever they need out of the closet and if I do not have what they need I will work on trying to get it,” Ross said.
To donate money or goods, visit the Cortez Police Department.
“Anyone can donate; we are always in need of all items,” Ross said. “I hope once I am no longer a school resource officer, the next one will keep the closet going.”
This article was updated Jan. 3 to correctly identify the Cortez Middle School principal, Drew Pearson.
