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Family support center tells school board it has distributed 9,561 hygiene items and raised $24,874
Summary
The district—family support center reported thousands of hygiene items distributed, steady food-mart use and a union-run Caring Closet that has raised $24,874; presenters credited FeedMore, TOPS, volunteers and a $4,450 memorial grant for early seed funding.
The family support center at the NIAGARA-WHEATFIELD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT told the board it has become a steady source of help for families, distributing thousands of hygiene items and operating three main services: the Falcon Food Mart, clothing distribution and a caring closet. AJ, who led the presentation, said the food mart continues to be popular and that it "serves well over two to 300 people" a month.
The presenter credited partners FeedMore and TOPS with providing perishable food donations and key refrigeration and shelving support, and said the district receives regular monetary donations from the graduating senior class and the Town of Niagara. AJ described volunteers and the district—life-skills classroom as central to operations: students help unload deliveries, wash clothing and prepare items for families.
Cara, chair of the NWTA social justice committee, summarized the Caring Closet——which began during the pandemic and has been sustained through union fundraising, community drives and local sponsors. Cara said an early $4,450 memorial grant from the Ziggler family helped establish the program; since then the committee has recorded distributing 9,561 hygiene products and raising $24,874 in funds dedicated to the Caring Closet. Cara said the union holds a separate fund to manage donations and that teachers——through fundraisers and direct gifts——have contributed roughly $10,000 over five years.
Program costs were described as ongoing; presenters said the district spends about $300 to $400 a month on hygiene supplies and also purchases gift cards and food for holiday distributions. AJ described a new textile-recycling bin located near the district soccer fields that converts donated clothing by weight into program revenue.
The presentation also highlighted mental-health partnerships: the district trained 10th graders in Teen Mental Health First Aid, worked with Mental Health Advocates of Western New York to bring youth peer advocates into schools, and reported about 40 students received school-based counseling this year. North Point Council was named as a partner providing substance-use education and follow-up workshops for students suspended for substance use or vaping.
Board members thanked the presenters after the update; AJ invited questions and said staff and volunteers remain open to ideas to improve the program.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; the district plans to continue partnerships and bring operational details back as needed.
