At the School District of Lancaster, we believe student success starts with meeting students’ needs both inside and outside the classroom. When students’ basic needs are unmet, it can affect their focus, confidence, sense of belonging, and overall success in school. That belief is at the heart of a new initiative at Wheatland Middle School.
Wheatland MS has been awarded a $1,000 TangerKids Grant to establish the Wheatland Care Closet, a program designed to support students and families by providing essential items at no cost. The Care Closet will offer hair care products, personal hygiene items, and household essentials such as dish soap, laundry supplies, and cleaning products. These everyday necessities play a meaningful role in helping students arrive at school feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
The idea for the Care Closet grew out of conversations between Takiya Brown, School Social Worker Intern, and Caryneri Burogs, Social Worker, who noticed that some students were quietly struggling to meet basic needs. Those challenges, while often unseen, can directly impact students’ self-esteem, ability to focus, and overall engagement in school. They envisioned a discreet, welcoming space where students could access resources with dignity and without stigma.
To help bring this vision to life, the team applied for funding through the TangerKids Grant Program, a competitive program that provides support for student-focused initiatives. Wheatland MS was selected to receive funding, which will be used to purchase essential supplies, storage materials, and establish a dedicated space where students can begin accessing these resources.
The TangerKids Grant Program is supported by Tanger, an organization with a long-standing commitment to education and community investment. Since 1996, Tanger has contributed more than $3.7 million toward school-focused initiatives nationwide. In 2024 alone, Tanger awarded more than $190,000 to fund 160 grants, helping schools create supportive learning environments and better serve students’ needs. At the center of this work is a belief that all students deserve opportunities to discover who they are and what they can achieve.
The Wheatland Care Closet reflects what is possible when educators listen, identify real needs, and partner with community organizations to create meaningful solutions.
We are proud of the Wheatland MS team for their leadership and dedication to ensuring students feel supported both inside and outside the classroom. Initiatives like the Care Closet remind us that when students feel cared for, they are better positioned to learn, grow, and succeed.
