From left, are Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Hauselman and EMS Treasurer Carleigh Freeman. Photo provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

Press Release

WARSAW — Edgewood Middle School staff recently announced the opening of a caring closet that is a donation-based store located in the school to provide food, clothing, and self-care items for students and their families who may have unmet needs.

“Our eighth-grade HOPE group has been instrumental in helping us set up and organize the Caring Closet; they benefit as both consumers and as contributors,” said EMS Principal JoElla Hauselman.

“Tammy Adamiec’s HOPE class also helps with the annual canned food drive that’s another upcoming school and community outreach Edgewood is known for. Within Warsaw Community Schools, Boomerang Backpacks is a wonderful resource available to all our elementary students. These organizers send food home on Fridays for K-6th grade students.

“The Edgewood Caring Closet will now, with community support, meet that need. We are currently spending about $200 a week on groceries and our list of students continues to grow. In our first week, we had seven students on our list. This week, our fourth week, we will be sending items home to 11 families. WCS’s theme for this school year is ‘A Year of Kindness,’ so this is Edgewood’s school-wide response to demonstrate how much we all care,” Hauselman said.

To make a financial donation, the public and corporate sponsors are asked to drop off cash or checks made payable to Edgewood Middle School. Other donation requests include nonperishable food items, new or gently used clothing and shoes, hygiene products, laundry detergent, and feminine products. With cooling temperatures, Hauselman said there is a great need for coats, gloves, hats, and boots for children.

Contact Hauselman or Freeman at (574) 371-5096 with any questions.