Are you aware there is a resource for disadvantaged students at Orono?

The Spartan Closet is a place for students who require certain resources but don’t have access to them. Items available in the “closet” include snacks, clothes, feminine products, and other school supplies. It is operated by Orono Youth in Action, and supplied by Community Education.

It is conveniently located in the media center by Room B and marked with a sign that says “Spartan Closet.”

“[It’s there] so that people who need something can get it” Youth In Action senior leader Alisha Shah said.

The closet is not monitored by anyone so that there is no stigma associated with using it and users of it do not feel self-conscious. The closet is meant to be a low-barrier resource for those in need of it, explained Shah.

“You can just go in without being embarrassed” Shah said.

The closet is not meant for any student, however. The closet is only supposed to be used by students in need of it, and not for students to grab a quick snack during snack break who can afford one themselves. The abuse of the closet by those not in need of its service is depleting its snack stockpiles, Shah revealed.

“It’s really just for those who need it” Shah explained, continuing, “A lot of people will go in and just take snacks and we want to limit that.”

Supplies from food and clothing drives, like the We Scare Hunger Food Drive, supply the closet, in addition to donations made by individuals who stock the closet. Individual donations can be dropped off at the main office.

Food donations should be non-perishable, such as canned foods, granola bars, and other individually packaged snacks.