October 8, 2024
Some students at a New Hampshire school rely on an in-house food pantry that is run by students.
Around a fifth of students at Pittsfield Middle High School rely on the food pantry, run by peers eager to give them a helping hand.
The pantry started about 10 years ago as a project for the school's National Honor Society Program.
Since then, local organizations have collaborated with volunteers to help with inventory, providing everything from food to toiletries. Edible items include easy-to-make meals, like mac and cheese, and canned goods.
All year long, the facility located near the cafeteria stays stocked with donations, and is run by Honor Society students. It opens up after an announcement made Friday afternoon over the intercom invites anyone to line up and receive what they need.
In a building of about 270 students, around 50 of them receive the supplies provided for them. It's also a chance for younger kids coming from Pittsfield Middle School to look up to older grades doing good for their community.
"It's nice to see the high fives and 'thank you's. The students just really appreciate it," said Melissa Brown, the assistant principal at Pittsfield Middle High School and Advisor to the National Honor Society. "It's a good feeling."