Tiger’s Den is now helping more families with the new Tiger Resource House, a school district resource center located at 444 E. Market St., Warrensburg. The Tiger Resource House supports families with a small food pantry, laundry, access to showers, and internet access to help people search and apply for jobs or access community resources.
“The Tiger Resource House differs slightly from Tiger's Den in the sense that it is geared more towards the whole family as opposed to just the student, though the resource house benefits the student by helping the family,” said Doug Conley, Warrensburg Middle School Student Services Coordinator.
Tiger’s Den is still located at the Warrensburg Middle School, but the long-term goal is to move it to the Tiger Resource House so all services are in one location, Conley continued.
Tiger’s Den is a district wide resource center serving students, from prekindergarten to high school. Some items provided are gently used clothing, school supplies, sporting equipment, snacks, and personal hygiene items. The program helps bridge the gap for students and families facing financial challenges.
Although school is out for the summer, donations are still needed. During the month of July, Western Missouri Medical Center is sponsoring a C.A.R.E. Giver’s Food Drive, which is also accepting personal hygiene supplies for Tiger’s Den.
“Western Missouri Medical Center is committed to improving the health and well-being of our community, both inside and outside the hospital walls,” said Lorna Cassell, WMMC Volunteer & Community Engagement Supervisor. “The hygiene supply fundraiser supports Tiger's Den by helping provide essential personal care items to students who may not have reliable access to necessities such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and other hygiene products. By helping meet these basic needs, we can support students' health, confidence, and ability to succeed in school.”
Cassell has seen firsthand the impact Tiger’s Den has had on the community, especially for children. She spent 30 years in public education, including 20 years as an elementary school principal, and retired this year as the principal at Martin Warren Elementary School.
“Throughout my career, I worked closely with students and families and saw firsthand how access to basic necessities can impact a person's ability to learn, grow, and thrive,” Cassell said. “Families have shared how much they appreciate having a local resource they can turn to when they need a little extra support. Tiger's Den helps fill gaps for families facing challenges and provides hope during times when assistance is needed most.”
“With today's financial pressures, many families are one unforeseen financial event away from needing help that they may have never needed before,” Conley said. “Tiger's Den and the Tiger Resource House are there to support families and their children, whatever needs may arise.”
“We don't want any child to be excluded from an activity or miss out on that positive school experience because they don’t have the appropriate clothing or resources to participate in class or extracurricular activities,” said Conley.
“It's important to support Tiger's Den because it is only able to function through the donations it receives, whether that be monetary or donated items,” Conley continued. “Monetary donations allow us to purchase items that are in short supply and continue to support the children.”
Anyone who knows of a family in need or would like to donate money, school supplies, gently used clothing, laundry detergent, sporting equipment, or other items, can contact Conley at Warrensburg Middle School or call 660-909-5232.
Release courtesy of Tiger’s Den.
