How We Started a Clothing Bank and Library at Our School
When Jose and I began teaching at Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy, we found an immense need for both a library and a clothing bank. Students didn't have access to books that included characters with diverse backgrounds and stories and many also lacked proper protection from winter elements. After giving students winter clothing from our personal closets, we realized we needed to develop a system to collect more.
We began collecting gently used and new clothing, including coats, new socks, and hats in 2018. Jose and I both reached out to our Grinnell College alumni community who responded by donating numerous boxes of clothing and books. To date, we have collected over 20 boxes of clothing and over 720 books to develop a school library in addition to the clothing bank.
CTEA's current clothing bank serves over 90 students and their families who have expressed gratitude for being able to have winter clothing for their children. The library now spans a collection of more than 800 books. Both the library and clothing bank are a welcome addition to the food bank that Chief Tahgee Elementary operates for the community.
Looking to help contribute toward our awesome school? Below are some ways you can support our classrooms at Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy:
This Amazon Wish List includes items for our classrooms as well as items to support our library and clothing bank. All items will be shipped directly to Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy in Fort Hall, Idaho.
For cash donations, please put “Chief Tahgee” or “Classroom Donation” in Notes section so I can ensure the money goes toward items for activities or art projects in our classrooms. If you’d rather send a check, please send it to:
Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy
ATTN: Bailey Dann or Jose Mendez
34 S. Hi-Line Rd, Pocatello, ID 83202
Local or Mailed Donations:
Feel free to email me personally at bailey.dann@cteacademy.org if you have supplies, clothing, or books to donate! We will work out a pick up or delivery plan. If you have items you’d like to mail, mail them to the address above. We’ve received packages from all over the United States including Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and many more.
Thanks for your support. Your donations help us provide needed services in our community and they also help us become the teachers with the tools needed to give our students an education they deserve.
Oose daga. Thank you.
Just a few of the coats donated to the clothing bank at Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy in Fort Hall, ID
This is the calm of my classroom before the storm of students create chaos! —Bailey
We strive to collect books with diverse stories and identities that reflect many of our students’ lived experiences.