Navigating middle school is challenging — even for students whose core needs are fully met. It can be a maze of shifting friendships, growing responsibilities and pressure to fit in. But for students who lack access to essential hygiene items, that maze becomes far more treacherous.
They may wrestle with fear of being labeled “unclean,” the humiliation of having to ask for items expected to be readily available at home and the worry of becoming a target because personal care products are out of reach. All of it can overshadow their ability to learn, connect and simply be kids.
Students at Central Middle School in the Riverview Gardens School District now have greater access to these essentials thanks to a partnership between the Chris Long Foundation and The Little Bit Foundation, which launched EdZone Lockers at the school last month.
“The EdZone Lockers provide more than just supplies,” said Riverview Gardens Superintendent Dr. Tanya Patton. “They send a powerful message to our students that their needs matter, their dignity matters and that their community believes in them. Partnerships like The Little Bit Foundation and the Chris Long Foundation reflect what is possible when a community comes together around students.”
The launch marked the first phase of a four-school pilot initiative bringing EdZone Lockers — secure, student-accessible units stocked with shampoo, soap, conditioner, hair care products and other basic necessities — to high-need school communities in the region.
The Chris Long Foundation is sponsoring the lockers and funding the ongoing supply of items. The Little Bit Foundation will integrate them into its established Whole Child Model of wraparound support.
EdZone, launched by the Chris Long Foundation in 2022, partners with schools and community organizations in cities including Charlottesville, Philadelphia and St. Louis. The initiative engages athletes, service providers and supporters to help ensure educational equity for students who may otherwise struggle to access essential items.
“We are so grateful for the support of the Chris Long Foundation through the years and thrilled to partner in bringing the EdZone program to St. Louis,” said Miranda Walker Jones, CEO of The Little Bit Foundation. “Our organizations share similar visions of educational equity and understand that addressing students’ basic needs is as essential as academic instruction.”
The Little Bit Foundation, which supports more than 17,500 students across more than 60 school communities, identified both Central Middle School and Jennings Junior High as pilot locations based on demonstrated need. Two additional St. Louis-area middle schools are expected to receive EdZone Lockers in the coming months.
“St. Louis is where I had my start in the NFL and played for the majority of my career,” said Chris Long, former NFL player and founder of the Chris Long Foundation. “I’m excited to give back to a community that gave so much to me. Every child deserves a chance to succeed in school and that starts with children having the right tools.”
Middle school is a pivotal stage for academic and social development, yet national surveys consistently show that students who lack access to basic hygiene items face higher rates of absenteeism, social isolation and decreased classroom engagement. Something as simple as not having deodorant, soap or lotion can become a measurable obstacle to learning. Students may avoid school out of fear of being teased, hesitate to participate in group work or struggle to concentrate because of anxiety tied to unmet needs. These gaps can compound quickly, contributing to missed instructional time and widening achievement disparities.
Patton said efforts such as EdZone Lockers mirror the district’s broader commitment to removing barriers so students can thrive.
“Having access to supplies that meet their basic needs allows our students to focus on learning and achieving their full potential,” Patton said. “These lockers represent another investment that we make, as a school district, in our students’ success.”
She also credited The Little Bit Foundation’s involvement in the district — ranging from EdZone Lockers to STEM exposure to the What’s Next Fair — with contributing to progress, including a 22-point Annual Performance Report increase over the last two years.
“This is what happens when students can focus on learning, and teachers can focus on teaching,” Patton said. “The Little Bit Foundation’s ongoing support strengthens Riverview Gardens and reinforces our shared belief that students succeed best when their basic needs are met.”