It's something most of us take for granted.

"Many people have to make a choice: food, gas, these products" Mower County Red Cross Director Elaine Hansen told a group of students from the Southland school district.

The students turned it into a competition, and the real winners were the people who use the care shelf at the Mower County Red Cross.

"We brought in over 200 items in our home-room" said Southland student Drew Lewison. "The winning class got to get a home-room party".

On Tuesday, the Southland kids carried box after box into the Red Cross to replenish the personal care shelf:

178 toothbrushes

51 tubes of toothpaste

35 bottles of shampoo

43 containers of deodorant

38 disposable razors

35 hair brushes

22 rolls of toilet paper

26 bottles of conditioner

14 boxes of Kleenex

... and more -- nearly 600 items in all.

Construction, integration and behavior are  some of the items on the agenda for the Austin school board's monthly meeting on Monday night.

The board will hear an update on district construction projects, hear about an adjustment in the district's 2011-2012 Integration budget, and hear an update on the Ellis-Woodson PBIS ... that's short for Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports.

The meeting starts at 6:30 Monday night in the Council Chambers at Austin City Hall.

The 2nd annual Strides for a Cure 5K run/walk in Austin is set for Saturday, May 19th.

Kickoff begins at 8:40 A.M. and with the race starting at 9 at Todd Park. The cost is $25.

The event is put on by the Youth Leadership Group at Austin High School and works to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

All proceeds will be donated to the Hormel Institute's Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Registration forms are available at the Cashier’s Office at Austin High School or on the webpage: stridesforacurerace.tk

For more information contact Emily Hovland emily.hovland@austin.k12.mn.us or 507 460-1800