The high school clothing and supply closet is in need of donations. Teacher Stacie Wheeler started Andrea’s Closet last year with items to help the needs of less fortunate students on the campus. The closet is located in room 200, with supplies such as underwear, deodorant, shoes, toiletries and other necessities and was named in honor of an LHS student who passed away at a young age.

“This year, Andrea’s Closet is more organized and easier for students to look through,” Wheeler said. “We are more aware of the most common sizes needed, and we are working to collect those sizes.”

Students are not allowed to go to the closet on their own. Access to the closet is by invitation only and discretely given by a faculty member.

“I believe Andrea’s Closet is a great benefit to students in need,” Wheeler said. “I would love to improve the closet by having all new clothing and shoes and also have a food section to provide food for students on the weekends whenever they need something.”

In 2013, Wheeler met a student named Andrea, who pushed her way through poverty, diabetes, and years of struggle. A year after graduating in 2017, she passed away.

“She became close to me quickly, and I realized that a lot of her basic needs were not being met,” Wheeler said. “In the spirit of that, I started the closet because I saw that there are a lot of students who are not having their basic needs met which affects them and their learning.”

With the low temperatures, more students are in need to have warm clothing, and she will be taking donations. For ladies, size 12 or above, and XL up to 3XL  for men are the most needed sizes.

“The purpose is to provide a place where students can come who have needs that are not being met,” Wheeler said. “We have a pretty consistent number [of students come], from two to four times a month.”

Donations can be brought to the high school office.  Please have them in a bag/box with the label “For Andrea’s Closet.”