Tiffin Middle School gets grant for hygiene closet

TIFFIN — It came from having a need in the community. Tiffin Middle School students will be able to continue utilizing a resource that will make their lives a bit easier. According to a press release dated Sept. 8, TMS was approved for a $2,050 grant through the Tiffin Community Foundation Advisory Youth Council to help replenish the hygiene closet at TMS. The Hygiene Closet contains items such as shampoo, deodorant, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, feminine hygiene products and emergency changes of clothes. "If a student is worried about their personal hygiene or appearance, that becomes another barrier they carry into the classroom," TMS counselor Melissa Mellott said. "The Hygiene Closet allows us to say 'we've got you' in a way that is private, supportive, and free of shame." It's not a new resource for students: according to Mellott, the closet started as a small endeavor right around the 2023-24 school year. "It was super small when we started it," Mellott said. "If we had leftover fundraiser money, it is how we bought the supplies. It went from being small and morphed into something that is continuously growing." Mellott attributes the increased need to more financial burden that families are taking on as the prices for everything has increased. That included the ability to restock the closet as the supplies were diminishing and Mellott, along with Alisa Huffman, contacted Jodie Reinbolt at the Tiffin Community Foundation to see if this was something that could qualify for a grant. "With the increased utilization, we wanted to keep this going for our students," Mellott said. "So we asked Jodie, and she said, 'Absolutely: Write the grant.'" TMS was awarded the grant in the spring, through the generosity of the late Sherman and Virginia White, who established a trust fund to support charitable work in the community, according to the press release. With the grant, students will continue to have access to necessary supplies, as the money will be used to restock the closet. Students are able to access the closet through a Google form that is sent out, and can fill it out as many times as they are in need. If a student prefers, the items can be delivered to their locker to maintain privacy, or can pick up the items from the counselor's office. As the needs are met, it has helped keep the students in school, as well as being able to focus on what matters the most — academics. "Middle school is already difficult to navigate," Mellott said. "Between social-emotional needs, and academics, the last thing they need to be worried about is how to get basic necessities. We support being hygienic and will do whatever we can to help. There is no shame in asking for help."