Hygiene kits for C.O. homeless students

The Presbyterian Women’s group of First Presbyterian Church and local partners distributed 1,100 hygiene bags to homeless students in Deschutes County.

Through the generous efforts of hundreds of community members and several local partners these bags will be distributed throughout the school-year to homeless children by the Family Access Network advocates and school district homeless liaisons.

Community partners that contributed to this effort include: First Presbyterian Church; First Methodist Church; Community of Christ Church; High Desert Red Hat Divas; students at Cascade Middle School, New Hope Church; and many other generous community supporters.

Last school year, there were over 1,100 students identified as homeless within the Deschutes County schools. Local families are not able to purchase hygiene products with food stamps and are often forced to choose between buying food and basic items such as soap with their limited income.

The Kits for Kids project was designed to support families in a concrete way and take a little of the burden off their struggles through homelessness.

The Kits for Kids include laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, bar soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, and dish soap.

“We are so thankful for the generous out pouring of community support this year with the Kits for Kids project. Now more than ever, our local homeless children need to know that we care. The Kits for Kids are one way we can make a difference,” said Helen Smith, Kits for Kids Committee Chair.

It is within the mission of the Presbyterian Women’s group of First Presbyterian Church to support those in need within Central Oregon and throughout the world. The Presbyterian Women’s group strives to make a difference in the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children in our community and around the world.