New Bedford High School going above and beyond to help cloth and feed students in need

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

A group of staff members from New Bedford High School have collaborated to create a space helping students that have limited access to food and clothing.
 
"We want to assist our students in more ways than one and we understand their education is not strictly just to the class room we do need to fulfill their needs,"says Veronica Martinez, from the GEAR Up program at New Bedford High School.
 
The room- called the Whaler’s attic and pantry- opened this week. It’s filled with donated boys and girls clothing items and non-perishable foods. The New Bedford high school engagement center, gear up program and the immigrant’s assistance center, started to work together after realizing the financial need of some of its teens.
 
"When I see students who come to me telling me they want to drop out of school because they want to work in order to fulfill the basic needs it’s very frustrating,"says Liz Lozada, Case Manager at New Bedford High School
 
New Bedford high has just over 2,000 students. of that, the school says about 20 percent come from different countries and many are in need of financial help.
Students in need can refer themselves to the program or names can be submitted by filling out a form. Once students are referred to the program they’re able to come in and receive food, as well as clothing items of their choosing.
 
"We all want to give the same message that every student here is important, every student is valued and we are all behind you. We are your network and we want you to succeed,"says School Councilor Barbra Kaplan.

The School is accepting donations (clothing, non-perishable food items, toiletries). All Donations can be dropped off at the High School’s main office.

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