Several school districts in Butler County are providing two important services for students of all economic backgrounds.

For underprivileged students who cannot afford new clothing, coats or hygiene items, the schools are operating programs to provide these items free. But the students who can afford them are also benefiting from the initiatives by being given the opportunity to donate or stock shelves and, in the process, learn to have empathy toward their fellow students who are not as fortunate as they are.

School administrators who run the programs make a good point in noting that a lack of comfortable clothing and essential hygiene items — such as clothing, deodorant, toothbrushes, facial cleanser or creams — make it less likely that students will be able to concentrate on their studies. As a result, these students might have a more difficult time keeping up with what they are learning in school, and this could affect their future prospects.

Kudos to the schools currently running these operations — including Buffalo Township’s Freeport High School, which opened the Jackets Nest this year; Butler High School’s Tornado Shelter, which has been in place for three years; South Butler School District’s Knoch High School, which established the Knights Closet last year; Moniteau Junior-Senior High School’s Warriors with a Heart, which was launched last year; and Karns City School District’s Communities That Care program.

The programs should be commended for not holding an economic litmus test when deciding which students to help. In other words, they assist anyone, from students who can’t afford supplies to others who simply may have forgotten to wear a belt on a given day or did not bring a change of gym clothes.

Jennifer Koedel, the secretary for Freeport High School, noted that “the purpose is to make sure that everything is available to everybody who needs something — sometimes, we don’t know who needs help.”

Often, pupils are not aware that a fellow classmate needs help, and this program gives them the opportunity to lend a hand. And it appears to be working. John Wyllie, Butler High School principal, said that the response has been “overwhelming” from the school’s faculty and students, who have donated numerous items and held clothing drives. Other students have been enlisted to wash, fold, sort and organize the donated items.

At a time when our national discussion involves a whole lot of partisan bickering and finger pointing, these programs are a terrific example to set for young people. We hope that other schools in the region consider adopting similar programs and have as much success as the existing ones.