NORTH JACKSON, Ohio - Jackson-Milton Local Schools is the latest school district in the Mahoning Valley to add a "Care Closet" for its students.

The Care Closet came to Jackson-Milton thanks to a donation from the Bernat Family and support from the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. The closet provides students throughout the district access to food, hygiene products and clothing.

Jackson-Milton Middle/High School Principal David Vega is quoted in a press release saying the closet has grab-and-go bags packed with deodorant, body wash, hygiene wipes, toothpaste and a toothbrush.

"It's a safe and confidential space where students pick up what they need when they need it," Vega said.

According to the release, the Care Closet program was made possible by Dr. Ray Bernat Jr. and his wife Sherry Bernat in memory of Ray Bernat Sr., a former teacher in the Mahoning Valley who supported his students and community.

"Our Care Closet is important because it's meeting our students' basic needs by providing them access to essential items. When we are able to remove barriers that are created from unmet needs, our students can focus more on learning," said Jackson-Milton Elementary School Counselor Christine Ginnis.