North Harford’s newest addition is now open for students; the Care Closet. Located across from the library, the closet is stocked with clothing, school supplies, and personal care items.
English teacher Mrs. Kathleen Lemke is in charge of the closet, and explained how it works. Students who are in need can “see [her] directly and [she] will open the closet for the student.” There is also a QR code outside of her room (E301) and the closet, that can be scanned to request items. After the QR code is used, “[she receives] an email notification and will gather items needed and discreetly deliver [them] to the students homeroom.”
The closet has been around for some time, and many teachers and staff members have helped to “get it off of the ground,” according to English and journalism teacher Mrs. Jennifer Chandler.
Secretary Mrs. Kim Iddings explained that former vice principal Mr. Ed Stevens originally had the idea to open the closet about three years ago. While the actual items in the closet are donated, Iddings is the one who has purchased things, such as shelves and bins, to put items in.
The closet takes donations of clothes, school supplies, and hygiene items. It has received loads of clothing donations from places like North Harford Middle School.
Stevens originally had the idea in 2019, and after a tragedy struck a NH family, a bunch of staff members “met up at schools with items for the family right before Christmas.” Stevens then decided to speak with Magnolia Middle School, as they already had a closet, and got the ball rolling. He and Iddings got school supplies from Mason Dixon, and after Covid hit, they started receiving clothing donations.
He is “hopeful that Mrs. Lemke is still spearheading the closet and [they] can get the word out so more people know what is available.” While Patterson Mill does not have a closet as of right now, Stevens would “love to see if there is a space where [they] could set something up.”
