Thanks to a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation, the Chanute Public Library will soon be offering a Community Closet for community members to access personal hygiene products.
In each bathroom, members of the community will have free access to essential personal care items and basic necessities to individuals who need them. Items vary from hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, menstrual products, or diapers. Other packs include hot or cold weather packs, lip balm, toothbrushes, and hand lotion. Bags are also available while supplies last for community members to take what they need.
“We can’t wait to roll out this great community resource,” Chanelle Gontarz, adult services and outreach librarian, said. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Elks on this project.
Local Elks Lodge #806 approached the library earlier this year to partner on a Spotlight Grant from the Elks National Foundation. According to its website, the Spotlight Grant “shines a light” on three major issues in local communities: early childhood literacy, veteran homelessness, and hunger and essential needs assistance.
“We had this program already in the back of our minds,” Jeana Lawrence, library director said. “It’s a way to help some of our patrons who don’t have regular access to these products and help them in a time of need without the embarrassment or judgment of asking for a personal care product, like diapers or wipes.”
During the month of March, the library purchased drawers that will be installed in the bathrooms along with supplies to fill them. Elks members came and helped package products together and stuff the drawers.
“The Chanute Elks Lodge is excited to be able to help support this endeavor with our grant from the Elks National Foundation,” Ruthann Boatwright, Elks #806 member said. “This grant is a great way to put money back in our community and help out.”
The mission of the Chanute Public Library is to provide modern library resources and services necessary to meet the evolving educational, recreational, and informational needs of the public, thus enhancing individual and community
life.
