The Five Star Education Foundation created and maintains emergency resource closets at 33 local schools, in partnership with the Office of Whole Child Initiatives, to provide immediate basic needs assistance to students and families in need.  ​Too many students come to school hungry, exhausted and without the hygiene and clothing resources their peers have at the start of each day.  To be learning-ready students must be warm, safe, and fed. Schools are the hub of the community and are in the best position to respond immediately when a child and their family are in need.  Resource closets are a tool that fosters trust and security and allows students to be part of a community of learners.

Thoughtfully located in our schools with the biggest need, these rooms are intended to be ‘triage support’ as students are tapped into long-term community programs.  This initiative is increasing school attendance, providing social-emotional support to students and their families, and allowing the schools to ensure students are safe, healthy, and fed so they are learning ready. 

Five Star Resource Closets, supported by the Five Star Education Foundation and in collaboration with A Precious Child and Food for Hope, have been available to Five Star families since 2020. This initiative would not be possible without substantial investment from the Adams County Foundation, the Safeway and Albertsons Foundation, the Kaiser Foundation and through ongoing community support from donors like YOU. This good work would not be possible without our Five Star community.