Marshall Public Library holds donation drive for school supplies and hygiene products

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Marshall Public Library has been collecting donations of school supplies and hygiene products every year since 2018. Between August 3 and September 12, a donation bin near the front desk of the library will collect new, unopened supplies for students in School District 25.

The school year is right around the corner for District 25 students, and many are underprepared without school supplies like pencils, crayons, watercolor paints, notebooks and more. The library will collect these items throughout the next month to distribute amongst students in need right as the school year begins. Library specialists say this is an important way they can give back to the kids outside the library walls.

"We see so many school kids here at the library after school gets out, but we don't really see them during the day," said Megan Nelson, Library Specialist at Marshall. "This is a really nice opportunity to help them out. It's really important to us that we help them excel in school and help school be a good, safe place."

Nelson said this year is even more important as the cost of living rises and every family is stretched thin for school supplies. They're asking for only unopened items to ensure the quality is high for students.

"We would love to see watercolors, backpacks, colored pencils, things like that," Nelson said. "Sometimes you can find backpacks on really good sales and those get used a lot."

She added that buying certain items on sale in department stores can be an affordable way to donate to students. Just as important as school supplies are hygiene products for children.

"We need razors, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bars of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, feminine hygiene items, deodorant," Nelson listed. "There's no limit to how many hygiene items we would accept for donations."

Even one bar of soap or one bottle of shampoo will help a student in need in the Pocatello community. Items can be loose or in grocery bags and placed into the donation bin.

Nelson also mentioned "pretty items" like pencil cases and pens for younger students. She explained underserved students often get bargain bin or plainer items for their school year, but any decorated notebooks, nice backpacks, or colored pens are appreciated for the drive.

Below is a list of requested items by the Marshall Public Library:

Toiletry Items

• Shampoo
• Soap
• Shaving gel
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Combs
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Disposable razors

School Supplies

• Pencils
• Notebooks
• Paper
• Folders
• Pens
• Crayons
• Watercolor sets
• Highlighters
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Rulers