The need for basic survival items does not discriminate among age groups, and the Warren County R-III School District has long worked to recognize and respond to that need.

Efforts to bridge the gap for students and families who do not have the means or resources for necessities such as food or clothing were initially addressed at the elementary levels. Now those same provisions can be found all the way through the high school, where needs still remain, but are not always communicated.

“The basis of the mission of Care to Learn is Maslow’s Hierarchy — meaning that our kids aren’t going to be able to learn unless their basic needs are met,” said R-III Counselor Hillary Lammert. “That’s where we come in and provide that support for them.”

With over half of students enrolled in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch, they have access to breakfast and lunch on school days. What the Care to Learn initiative seeks to do is address needs outside of school that might be affecting a student’s ability to concentrate due to hunger, hygiene or other health-related barriers.

“With us only having four days of school each week now, we’re not feeding kids school breakfast or lunch on Mondays. That’s two more meals a week families have to account for,” said Lammert. “For some families with five or six kids, two extra meals per kid per week could really add up.”

With the elementary schools having those provisions in place for a while now, school officials focused their attention on improving the resources at the high school. There had previously been clothing available, but more recently, a food pantry has been added to address hunger needs of high school students.

“This is the first year where we’ve had anything set up for kids to go and access food at any point,” said Lammert. “We just ask they come to the guidance office, because it’s a discrete way for them to get help. Guidance will accompany them there, and they can fill drawstring bags and take them home.”

Lammert says the need is particularly high prior to long holiday breaks, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring break. 

There are canned goods, pop tarts, macaroni and other non-perishables. Lammert says the school would eventually like to provide fresh fruits like apples and oranges. The school has received donations from the Boy Scouts, Caring is Sharing of Wentzville and Main Street Real Estate.

Counselors have hygiene items or extra shoes on hand to give immediately to students. Right now, winter coats and warm shoes are a primary need.

At the high school level, students get involved with the organization and operation of the clothing closet and food pantry.

Over the past several years, student Cassie Neal has knitted 54 scarves by hand and recently expressed the desire to donate to those in need.

“She was able to go and hand deliver her scarves, and she was really excited about that,” said Lammert. “We’ve had multiple people in the community step forward to help with Care to Learn.” 

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes also helps organize the food pantry and keep inventory, while the Key Club held a coat drive.