The Cullowhee NCCAT Sunshine Committee led an effort by NCCAT employees to take part in the “Stuff the Bus” effort by Jackson County Schools. Employees donated approved hygiene items, individually pre-packaged snakes, and gently used clothing and shoes.
Donated items will be used to create a “Comfort Closet” or “Free Store” within each of the nine Jackson County Public Schools. Students will have the opportunity to shop the closet as needed with the assistance of their school social worker or counselor. The goal is to provide students with items that are not available to them outside of school, remove the burden of fitting in, and promote a culture of giving and community among Jackson County students.
There are currently 45 homeless students attending Jackson County Public Schools, and 49% of our 3,734 students receive free or reduced lunch.
“The project was a great success and will give us the ability to help so many families in need,” wrote Jackson County Schools EC Data Manager and Student Support Services Director Ashley Taylor. “We collected 13,600 hygiene and snack items. There is still an entire boardroom full of clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, hats and gloves that have not been counted. We are blessed to be a part of such a giving community! I will update the progress of those on the new web page (www.jcpsnc.org/comfortcloset) and the JCPS Facebook page.”
NCCAT was recognized at halftime of the Western Carolina University basketball game on Nov. 17 for its participation and received a note of thanks from a Jackson County School student.