Sedalians can help those in need by donating hygiene items this month at the Pettis County Community Partnership.
PCCP is hosting the "Help Us to Help Others Hygiene Drive" from March 13 to 31 to help restock its Community Closet. John Thompson, the project coordinator, said the Partnership keeps items that clients, individuals, and the homeless can pick up.
Items in the Community Closet include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors, and deodorant. It also stocks blankets and bath towels.
"It just the essentials that people might need," Thompson noted. "We have laundry detergent, all kinds of household items that folks might need."
The Community Closet also has a "Little Essentials" program that stocks diapers donated by The Changing Table, of Osage Beach. Diapers are available from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
"The reason we're having the drive is because it's an opportunity to help donate some of those items for those in need," Thompson said. "And it's also an opportunity for maybe local organizations, a business or a church to give back to the community, and maybe have a drive of some kind.
"We have some organizations that do that already," he continued. "They have different drives, and they bring those in, and we put them back in our Community Closet. So, we are in a position right now that we need to supplement what we have."
He added the Partnership has a system that tracks people who make donations, in-kind donations, and items that are given out. That way, PCCP knows what is most needed in the Closet.
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and deodorant are currently needed. In addition, Thompson noted baby wipes are also low in supply. The Community Closet also keeps pets in mind when offering items to clients. Thompson added they carry pet food for unhoused people who have pets.
"We primarily rely on donations to keep (the Community Closet) stocked," Thompson noted. "And we're to the point right now that we need to have a drive."
The Community Closet is open from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the Pettis Community Partnership, 1400 S. Limit Ave., Suite 29. Those who wish to donate to the Community Closet may drop off hygiene items from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call 660-827-0560.
