Community partners replenish clothes for students facing housing insecurity
With $6,000 in donations, seven shopping carts were filled with new clothing, personal hygiene items and school supplies to support students facing housing insecurity.
The Epsteins donated $5,500 for the police department and members of the school district to visit the Walmart in Levittown and fill the closet with new clothes. “Every little thing helps make these kids’ lives a bit better,” said Gene Epstein. “I think I get a greater feeling helping others than the people I’m helping.”
Walmart also donated $500 to the cause. From BTSD, Kelly Schulze, pupil services administrative assistant; Dr. Meredith Leach, district social worker; and Kasey Kenworthy, school counselor, were joined by Sgt. Jason Mancuso and Officer Jon Dob of the Bristol Township Police Department; Chief Joseph Moors of the Bristol Borough Police Department; and Amanda Wick, front-end manager of Walmart. With the $6,000, the group filled seven shopping carts full of new clothing—coats, shoes, shirts, sweatshirts, pants, undergarments, socks, personal hygiene items and school supplies.
“When community partners come together, we can make incredible things happen,” said Leach. Leach used earlier funds to fill the closet at the beginning of the school year. With the clothing supply dwindling, she ordered requests as needed through Amazon.
“Now we have everything in stock to immediately meet students’ needs, as opposed to them waiting,” said Leach.
In Bristol Township School District, 129 students face housing insecurity. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students qualify if they lack a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence, and it ensures students are provided with necessities, such as clothing.
In addition to Bristol Township School District students, the closet is open to students in Bristol Borough School District.