Moscow Students Launch Toiletries Drive to Support Local Families

Moscow’s young students are stepping up to support their community through a new initiative. Fourth graders at Lena Whitmore Elementary have organized a toiletries drive aimed at assisting families in need. The drive runs until December 12 and encourages students and community members to donate essential items.

New toiletries such as toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste, children’s body wash, and shampoo can be dropped off at a designated bin located at the school’s front entrance. The collected items will be delivered to the Moscow School District’s Family Resource Hub, situated in the former Russell Elementary building. This hub was established last year to offer free clothing, toiletries, and school supplies to students and families who require assistance.

Engaging Students in Community Service

The toiletries drive is a key component of a broader educational project designed to teach students about giving back. Tiffany Mayes, a fourth-grade teacher at Lena Whitmore, emphasized her commitment to instilling a sense of community responsibility in her students. She noted that the school strives to engage in charitable activities annually.

Mayes highlighted that toiletries are the most pressing need at the Family Resource Hub, prompting the students to take action. In addition to collecting donations, students are tasked with writing essays that explore the significance of community service, creating promotional posters for the drive, and producing a video that was shared on Facebook.

Once the drive concludes, students will participate in a field trip to the resource hub. This visit will provide them with an opportunity to volunteer and witness firsthand the positive impact of their contributions on local families.

Broader Community Support

Lena Whitmore Elementary is not the only school contributing to the Family Resource Hub. Students from Moscow High School, led by Caitlin Highfill and Haili Hull, recently organized their own initiative—a winter clothing drive. This effort resulted in the donation of two truckloads of clothing and $750 to support the hub’s operations.

The Family Resource Hub operates on Tuesdays from 14:00 to 17:00, providing vital resources to families in the Moscow area. This community-centered approach not only aids those in need but also fosters a spirit of generosity and cooperation among students and residents alike.