There are hundreds of children in New Jersey who are homeless or enduring financial hardship. Some children won’t even go to school because their families cannot afford basic hygiene items like deodorant, body wash, or laundry detergent. Many times, teachers will buy these supplies from their own pocket. This was shocking, and we knew we had to do something about it! So the idea of the “Shine and Inspire Closet” was born.
We fill “closets” at schools in our community with hygiene items, school supplies, clothing, and non-perishable food. We also work closely with the homeless liaisons at the Trenton Board of Education and Hamilton Township to help displaced or homeless children.
Shine and Inspire will set up a closet in our Mercer County schools and fill it with direct donations from our wonderful community partners. A closet can be anything from a small cart in a classroom, to an entire room in a school. In return, we ask that children “Pay It Forward” through an act of community service.
Ewing High School was our flagship closet, and today there are over 35 closets across Mercer County (and growing!). To request a closet in your school, please submit a Closet Request. If you would like to donate closet items, please visit our Closet Collection Locations or you may simply go the following Amazon wish list, and your shopping items will ship directly to Shine and Inspire!
Shine and Inspire Closets
Ewing High School
We are so excited that Ewing High School has embraced the idea and opened the FIRST “Shine and Inspire Closet”! There is a teacher who is Paying it Forward by organizing students who will help keep the closet stocked. The students who benefit from the “Shine and Inspire Closet” will be Paying it Forward in some way.
Shine and Inspire will continue to work with staff at the Ewing High School to ensure the Closet meets the needs of its students.
Trenton Board of Education
We have recently learned that there are over 260 children who are displaced and don’t have homes of their own. They may be living in a motel or on somebody else’s couch or even in a shelter. We have opened a second closet and it is already being used!
Cadwalader Elementary School
Capital City High School
Crockett Middle School
Fisher Middle School
Greenwood Elemetary School
Gregory Elementary School
Grice Middle School
We love how Grice Middle School will be Paying It Forward … there are several events throughout the school year including writing a letter or drawing a picture to give to a nursing home for the holidays, writing a letter of appreciation or drawing an inspiration picture to send to our veterans, and writing a letter or drawing a picture thanking the police department, including their own school officer, Officer Sal!
Hamilton Education Program
Hamilton High School West
Hedgepeth-Williams Intermediate School
Klockner Elementary School
Kuser Elementary School
Lalor Elementary School
Langtree Elementary School
Monument Elementary School
Mercerville Elementary School
Nottingham High School
Pace Charter School
Paul Robeson Elementary School
Reynolds Middle School
Robinson Elementary School
Sayen Elementary School
Steinert High School
Sunnybrae Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School
Thrive Charter School
Wilson Elementary School
Yardville Elementary School
How can you help?
Shine and Inspire is looking for donations of the following (new items only please):
- Personal hygiene products (deodorant, hair care, soap, body wash, feminine products, chapstick, toothpaste and toothbrushes, razors, wash cloths, towels, etc).
- School supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.)
- Non-perishable snacks
- Socks, gloves, hats, underwear, sweatshirts, sweatpants and other clothing items (new only please)
- Financial donations are welcome
If you would like to donate or have questions about the Shine and Inspire Closet please Contact Us.