While school is coming to a close now, Students Helping Students will gear up in the new school year to hold a food drive to stock a pantry for students who may otherwise go without, said Jill Robinson, a first-year teacher at the school who is serving as the group's adviser.
The idea for the organization came about from observations that the school system had a system in place at the elementary and middle school levels, while the high school did not.
(For more information contact Robinson at 252-519-7200 or 252-326-5456)
A school-wide survey showed between 15 percent to 20 percent of students were not having needs met, said Robinson. “What we're trying to do is get a range of things. One of the main things is food items. They (students) get lunch at school but not breakfast and dinner.”
The organization, however, will not stop with just food items. It is looking to raise funds for school supplies as well as hygiene supplies and seek grant funding that will help students participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports that come with a fee.
Robinson said these are all things which help students focus on their work during the school day. “If you've forgotten to eat breakfast and gone to work it's the same thing for kids if they're hungry or worried about what's going on at home. They can't concentrate on academics.”
The aim, she said, is to meet some of those basic needs. “There's a huge correlation between clubs and sports that lowers the dropout rate.”
That's why the organization will be seeking grant opportunities for activities that cost money. “We want to get those paid and give them a sense of belonging and getting what they need to become a member of society.”
Over the last six weeks, Robinson said, information on the program has been mailed to local businesses and shared with friends.
A food drive is planned in September so bags can be given out when school starts and the food pantry can be stocked.
In a letter sent out asking for assistance, Robinson wrote, “Our goal is to provide material necessities to students, and provide monetary support for school related activities. To achieve our goal, we have a pantry that we plan to stock with non-perishable food items, school supplies, and personal hygiene items. We also have a closet that we want to stock with formal attire so that students who want to attend school events but can’t afford to may borrow a suit and tie, or a dress.
“For us to make this organization a success, we need your help. We are asking for donations of food, school supplies, personal hygiene items, gently used formal attire, winter coats, shoes, clothes, and money or gift cards. We feel strongly that if students have basic needs met, and are made to feel included, then it will assist them academically and will reduce the chances of students dropping out of school.”
Needs list
Non-perishable foods
Chips
Cookies
Breakfast pastries
Soups
Canned vegetables and fruits
Pasta and canned sauce
Oatmeal and grits
Granola bars
Beans
Rice
Cereal
Powdered can milk or juice
Personal hygiene
Deodorant
Soap
Toothpaste
Tooth brush
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair brush
Hair ties
Lotion
Face moisturizer
Body wash
Loofas
Lip balm
Hand sanitizer
Feminine hygiene items
Razzers
Makeup
Shaving cream
Floss
Face wash
Mouth Wash
Tweezers
Nail Products
Band-Aids/Neosporin
School Supplies
Paper
Three-ring binders
Pencils
Pens
Erasers
Calculators
Bags
Pencil cases
Folders
Colored pencils
Markers or highlighters
Index cards
Scissors
Correction fluid
Flash drives
Clothing and other considerations
Formal attire in all sizes for gentlemen and ladies
Winter coats, shoes and other clothes
Monetary donation or gift card donation
