How to Start a School Care Closet

When students don’t have to worry about basic needs, they’re able to focus on learning, friendships, and simply put, "being a kid". But with the federal pause in food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), many families may find it harder to keep up with the grocery bill. Title I schools are particularly vulnerable to SNAP disruptions because they serve a higher proportion of students from low-income families. This means students might be arriving at school hungry, without snacks, or short on essentials like clean clothes and deodorant.

PTO and PTA groups can help bridge that gap by starting a care closet at school that's stocked with personal care items, snacks, non-perishable food items, and other everyday essentials.

Also called a hygiene closet or “Take What You Need” station, a care closet provides essential items to students who need them. From toiletries and socks to granola bars and soup cups, a stocked care closet can discreetly support students whose families may be struggling. Start small by partnering with your school counselor, and ask your community for donations (you'll be surprised how many people are willing to contribute!). As @mrsarensberg4th shared in her viral TikTok about her classroom care closet for students, “Sometimes, it’s not just about what’s in the bag—it’s about letting kids know someone cares.”

@mrsarensberg4th Replying to @mellykb1 an idea of what’s in the care closet and why! It changes from time to time based in donations, but most of these items are on a regular rotation! #teacher #teachers #mrsarensberg #carecloset #care #selfcare #hygiene #careitems #closet #careclosetteacher #careclosetproduct ♬ original sound - Mrs. Arensberg

This PTO project can have a huge impact on student confidence, focus, and mental well-being. Including snacks and non-perishable food items to your school's care closet can help fill the gaps some families may be facing. For some students, taking home a microwavable mac and cheese cup means one less hungry night.  

Tips for Starting a Care Closet at School

You don’t need a big space (or a big budget) to start a care closet at your school. Here’s how to make it happen:

Find a spot for your care closet 

Check in with your admin to see if there's a private spot your PTO can use to stock items for a care closet. If your school admin has a small room that they're willing to make available for a school care closet, great! Otherwise, start small with a stocked cabinet or a set of large labeled storage bins on shelving. The important thing is that it's well organized so that it's easy to find and grab specific items. Make sure it’s a private, easy-to-access space for staff. 

We also love the idea of a "Grab and Go" care station. These stations can be set up throughout the school, so students can easily grab items at the end of the day, before heading home:

@mrsarensberg4th A Care Closet to-go! #teacher #teachers #mrsarensberg #carecloset #onthego #care #kindness ♬ Healing Song - Piano Peace

Some schools will also organize "care boxes" or "care companions" for every classroom, which are smaller boxes of essential items that are given to each classroom teacher. Teachers can give to students at their discretion or students can access the boxes as needed.

Partner with your school counselor or nurse

Work closely with your school counselor, social worker, and nurse to manage access and protect student privacy. They’re also great (along with teachers) at spotting student needs that might not be obvious to your PTO.

Stock up on essential care items students may need

Request donations from families, staff, and local businesses. Here are popular staple items often spotted in a school care closet:

• Clean clothing (especially socks, underwear, leggings, and hoodies). Many PTOs will also take donations of gently used coats and shoes, too.
• Hygiene items: deodorant, body wash, bars of soap, body lotion, floss, toothpaste, toothbrushes (ask your local dentist!), Chapstick, tampons, pads, Dude Wipes, nail trimmers
• Hair care: shampoo, conditioner, hair ties, durags, bonnets, brushes, combs
• Laundry detergent, odor neutralizer, dish soap
• Antibacterial hand wipes, mini hand sanitizer bottles
• Eye glass wipes
• Snack items: granola bars, cereal bars, crackers, applesauce pouches, fruit snacks, cereal cups and boxes, fruit cups
• Bottled drinks and water
• Non-perishable take-home foods (think: anything that's shelf-stable and easy to prepare): mac and cheese cups, soup cans, tuna, canned veggies, canned fruit, oatmeal cups, spam, cans of baked beans, Ramen noodles
• Supplies like toilet paper, tissues, disinfecting wipes, baby wipes, 
• In October, request gently used Halloween costumes from your community. Costumes can be expensive, so upcycling gently used costumes is a great way to help every student feel like they can participate in Halloween activities. 

Some PTOs will organize a themed spirit week to collect non-perishable food items for the care closet— for example, "Marinara Monday" (send in boxes of pasta and jars of sauce), "Tuna Tuesday" (cans of tuna), and "What's for Breakfast Wednesday" (shelf-stable breakfast items)—and hold a friendly competition between classes.

@thatteachermrslane Care closet update! IT’S FINISHED (for now 🫣)!!! I am so happy with this space and so thankful for all the incredible individuals and companies that made this space possible! Thanks for choosing to impact the mext generation through supporting students in my school! 🥹💕 @Macy Magri Sharp @Suave @BURST Oral Care @hismile @dudewipes @stallmates @WaterWipes @Mane ‘n Tail @Not Your Mother’s @Aussie Hair USA @Hairitage by Mindy @waterdrop @The Original MakeUp Eraser #teachertok #teachersoftiktok #carecloset #careclosetmakeover #studentneeds #middleschool #middleschoolteacher #backtoschool #fyp ♬ original sound - ThatTeacherMrsLane

Reach out to your local community to help with donations

Check with your local Rotary and Kiwanis Club (often, clubs have extra funds and are looking for good causes to give to). Many local grocery stores or churches are happy to sponsor drives. Reach out to your local food bank, too. And, ask your local dentist office for toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss.

Regularly post what is needed on your town’s Facebook group and on your PTO and school social media pages - you'll be surprised how often you'll get donations from churches, VFWs and Rotary associations, as well as families that are able to help!

Use a donation request platform like SignUpGenius, or create an Amazon wish list to make it easy for families and others in your community to shop for and donate items to your school care closet.

Organize your school care closet

Use clear bins and simple signage or labels. Some PTOs add handwritten notes of encouragement like “You’re awesome!” or “You’ve got this!” to items for a little confidence boost for students. 

Keep it private

A care closet works best when it feels judgment-free. For most school care closets, the school counselor and social worker are the ones that help students "shop" - the PTO just handles the stocking of items.

Partner with your school counselor, nurse, or social worker to handle distribution quietly so students can get what they need without anyone knowing. Use plain packaging, discreet pickup spots, or teacher referrals instead of open requests. The goal is to make sure every student feels cared for, never singled out. On social media, share photos of your setup to generate awareness so that families are aware that your school has this resource, should they need it.

Did your PTO start a care closet? Tag us on social @ptotoday so we can see it. It just might end up in this article! 

Want more ideas for your school? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for more ideas and free resources for your PTO.