Maynardville is a community that is strong in pulling together its resources for the overall benefit of one another. Children come first and most anyone will reach out to help when there is a child in need.

Throughout the county, there are clothes closets, backpack programs, food pantries and so many more resources for the times when they are needed. Many students rely on these alternative assets as their supply source for the month.

In 2015, Horace Maynard Middle School initiated a small hygiene closet for students to pull from. Over the years, the stock and variety have grown tremendously, literally outgrowing the closet and requiring larger shelving. The closet was an inspiration of a big-hearted teacher at the school who saw the need for the adolescents in the hygienic area since there were more sources for other needs.

Through the years, bags have been packaged on a monthly basis for a range of 20 to 45 families each year. The closet is run strictly off of donations from HMMS staff and the very supportive community. Items collected include items such as feminine products, shampoo, body wash, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, Q-tips and other related items. Bonus items are also included each month, things such as perfume, lotion, combs, brushes, hairbows and cologne. Now, it has grown to the point that students also receive some food pantry items in addition. Many items can be purchased for very reasonable prices at places like the Dollar Tree.

Currently, 21 girls and 22 boys are receiving these monthly items this academic year. They receive their care packages on the last Friday of each month.

There is always a need for donations to this program at HMMS for our local students. Current hygiene items low or out of stock are: body wash, shampoo, feminine products (pads are preferred), dental floss, deodorant, cologne and combs. Food pantry needs at this time include: Chef Boyardee, fruit cups, applesauce cups, canned soup, Vienna sausages, individual mac ’n’ cheese cups, ramen noodles, granola bars, gummies and Beanie Weenees.

If you feel led to donate, items can be dropped off at HMMS anytime between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday while school is in session. Cash donations are also utilized to purchase items as they are needed. Contact HMMS teacher Sarah Helms with any questions you may have at Sarah.Helms@ucps.org. Help take care of these Union County children in need.