Serving our community: Tiger closet

by Aramena Joos

In a small, underground closet, tucked into a lesser traveled corner of our school lies the Tiger Closet, ran for nearly the last decade by an LC mom, Kris Crocker.

The closet is fully supplied by our Lewis and Clark community, it provides a space for those in our school who have day to day needs.

As I spoke with Crocker, she kept a smile on her face, appreciative of her opportunity to “curate a beautiful collection of things,” and admiring our students’ and family’s willingness to help their community.

“When there is a need, they step up in droves,” explains Crocker.

The school nurse, who stores clothes for everyday emergencies comes by to grab essentials, but Crocker is confident in her ability to make a package specifically suited for her needs. “I can make that happen,” she says, “we take care of our Tigers.”

“It makes me so happy,” Crocker says, as she walks in each week to see the closet in disarray—because this way, she knows that “there is not a Tiger around who will go without being warm.”

It’s the little things that many take for granted that Crocker accounts for. “They’ll get excited when they see a full tube of Crest—just to have a whole tube of Crest is a luxury," she explains.

Our Tiger Closet exemplifies the underground community that is woven through the streets of Spokane. With nearly 30,000 immigrants finding home in our town, many of whom walk the halls of Lewis and Clark, the impact of our modern world is clearly displayed.

Families from Eastern Europe just moved down the block from me—excited to celebrate their first Halloween. These families feel an overwhelming sense of compassion and hospitality.

The Tiger Closet is just one small reminder of the support systems available to those who need it. Even the simplest inconvenience, like a torn shirt can be cured by donations from the Tiger Closets.

The Tiger Closet represents a larger issue, one where the real differences amongst people in our town are shown. In a time of war, persecution, and financial struggle, the Tiger Closet lends a hand.

The closet is filled to the brim with clothes, and more boxes await unpacking. Peering around and seeing these clothes and hygiene products made me wonder—what else might a family need that I hadn’t thought of before?

Although it seems superficial, I asked about makeup. As a teenage girl myself, a bad day can be brightened with the ability to make myself feel more confident.

“I think they would love it, it would help make them feel good about themselves,” replied Crocker.

Though the basics are supplied to those in our community, the luxuries we all commonly possess aren't always readily available. No matter where we are coming from or who we are, every teen loves the opportunity to express themselves and be comfortable.

“There are some well dressed Tigers… if you can consider donating the nice clothes, its greatly appreciated.”

The packed Tiger Closet owes its thanks to our community- and only hopes to continue to see Tigers lend support.