Tucked inside Oliver Ames High School is a space built on a simple idea: take what you need, no questions asked. Stocked with clothes, snacks, hygiene products, and school supplies, the closet is making a meaningful difference for students who need a little extra support.

At Oliver Ames, History teacher Mrs. Kenney and class of 2026 advisor Ms. Murphy put together a closet in the English hall called the “Take What You Need” closet. This closet has everything from sweatshirts to pencils and from hygiene products to snacks to use whenever needed. Ms. Murphy one of the founders of the closet goes into detail of what the closet is used for and why it is helpful for students.

“Mrs. Kenney and I felt like we didn’t want students to have to ‘prove’ that they needed more support. Every person deserves to have access to personal care items. In other words, we wanted kids to be able to take what they needed, no questions asked! Don’t have shampoo at home? Take some from the closet! You forgot to put on deodorant today and are now panicking? Take some from the closet! I have had girls come in quickly after school to grab hair elastics for soccer. It is truly for everyone, as long as it is being used respectfully.”

In the closet is anything you could need during a school day. Emergency supplies are stored there for students who are in need. You can take things home or just borrow things throughout the day. Ms. Murphy explains what is available for students throughout the day.

“In the closet you can find personal care items (tampons, pads, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, soap, shampoo, conditioner), household items (tissues, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, sunscreen, paper towels), school supplies, clothes, shoes, gloves, socks, bags, etc.”

Unfortunately throughout the school day the closet is closed but, after school the closet is open for anyone to use. It is closed for the school day so no one takes advantage of it but before or after school is the best time to use this closet!

“Originally, it was not locked during the school day. We wanted students to be able to access it at any time. Unfortunately, students began to misuse the closet (throwing clothes around, opening bars of soap and leaving it there, etc). After some time of it being closed to address these behaviors, we have had it open again during the school day for the last month or so. It is open right after school, but teachers lock it before they leave for the day. We hope that students will continue to have respect for everything we put together, and the purpose of why we have the closet”