Greater Cincinnati school creates ‘closet’ to help students with free clothing, essentials

HIGHLAND COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) – A small town high school is taking care of itself.

McClain High School is located in the Greenfield community of Highland County. Many of his students are in need of clothing, shoes and other necessities, but the good people of Greenfield have found a way to help at no cost to the children. Room 307 now has the space to give kids a confident new look.

It’s a closet full of tops, pants, and shoes for the MHSmart program, and it’s all free for students.

“Maybe you can’t get to certain parts of education until you meet those basic needs. So that’s why it’s important to have things available to students other than academics,” said McClain High School Principal Matt Shelton.

Librarian Gretchen Foltz helped start the effort in 2019. She heard about the need for something like this when she taught English. It started in a supply closet, but as donations came in from community groups, it spread to spare closets.

“Someone would give me shoes as a donation (and) I’d open the closet and throw them in and close it as fast as I could before the others flew in there,” said Gretchen Foltz, librarian at McClain High School.

When a classroom opened, it became the new “closet”.

“There is even a small closet (with) hygiene products, but students can also try on clothes there. It’s more like what they’re used to when they shop for themselves,” Foltz said.

Students can access the locker by filling out a Google form. The link is on the McClain High School website and student resources page.

Only 4,300 people live in Greenfield, and US News and World Report said nearly half of McClain’s students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.

“I know what’s in there and I see some of the items the kids are wearing as they walk down the hall, so I know they’re using them. Like he’s not just sitting here,” Shelton said.

Elena Cullom has children in the district and was past president of the Greenfield Mother’s Club. That organization donated money so MHSmart could buy gift cards or clothes.

“If they need it, community members will get it. They are so good at helping all the people who might need extra help,” Cullom said.

No matter what these kids are going through, the closet has them covered. If you want to help keep the closet stocked, the school will take new or nearly new clothes, checks or gift cards. Checks can be made out to MHSmart and sent to McClain High School, 200 N. 5th Street, Greenfield, Ohio ℅ Gretchen Foltz.

Fast food, gas and Walmart gift cards are also welcome. Any clothes must be new or nearly new. Foltz said to think of anything a teenager could wear.