April 2022 | Vol. 22 Iss. 04
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INDIAN HILLS’ COMPASSION CLOSET OPENS TO GIVE STUDENTS HELPING HAND
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727 E 9400 S, SANDY UT, 84094
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Saturday, April 16th • 9am -2pm
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
I
ndian Hills Middle School teacher Blythe Wilde believes in giving students and their families a hand up when needed. In late winter she opened the Compassion Closet to those in need with items ranging from school supplies to food and personal hygiene items. “I saw the need here,” she said. “We have 27% on free or reduced breakfast and lunch. As a special education teacher, I have students who get bused in from all over the district. We have students crying because their parents have gotten accepted for food stamps, so they’ll finally have food. I’ve had students who are homeless or sleep from car to car, couch to couch. I’ve had students who share one bedroom with siblings and a parent. When we look around, there’s not a lot of food pantries that are accessible this far east.” Wilde may have more insight than others from her own experience. After leaving an abusive relationship, she found she needed help for herself and her family. She first asked her kids’ school, but after learning they didn’t have any aid, she eventually found help at a food pantry. Wilde received a $1,000 grant from
the school leadership team to stock the closet with shelf stable food items that are easily opened in case students may not have a can opener. They’re also available to eat without access to a microwave. They’re filled with snacks, cereal, peanut butter and jelly. She added in personal hygiene items—toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, pads and tampons, which she acquired six cases from a Donor’s Choose grant. There are other cleaning items like dish soap and even biodegradable laundry sheets. “Students can take this to dissolve in water and wash their clothing in a bathtub or a sink,” she said, adding that students also can arrange to use the school’s washer and drier or shower if needed. The closet is completed with socks, winter hats, gloves and scarves as well as Continued page 14 Indian Hills Middle School teacher Blythe Wilde opened Indian Hills’ Compassion Closet to help area students with food, school supplies, warm clothing and personal hygiene items. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)
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