A Student-Led Initiative Brings Hygiene Kits to Every Cortez Public School Student

Some Cortez students lack access to basic hygiene and personal care products, which can affect their comfort, confidence, and participation at school. One high schooler at Southwest Open School wanted to help her fellow students, so she reached out to LOR with a solution: assemble and distribute hygiene and sanitation kits to upper elementary, middle, and high school students across Cortez. LOR’s funding will help Southwest Open School purchase items including pads, tampons, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, and wet wipes to build at least 210 kits. The kits will be distributed to Battle Rock Elementary, Kwiyagat Community Academy, Lewis Elementary, Kemper Elementary, Mesa Elementary, Montezuma Cortez Middle School, Kiva Montessori, Montezuma Cortez High School, and Southwest Open School—reaching every student currently enrolled in a Cortez public school. Additional kits will be made available through a local food pantry, extending support to other community members in need.